,     I 


■    :j 


THREE  PLAYS 
BALBOA  -  XILONA 

THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 


THREE  PLAYS 


BALBOA  XILONA 

THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 


By 
FRANCIS  A.  MAC  NUTT 


* 


NEW  YORK 

LAURENCE   J.   GOMME 

1916 


Copyright,  1916,  by 
Laurence  J.  Gomme 


• 


■  ■  ***  »      * 


VAIL-BALLOU     COMPANY 
BINGHAMTON  AND  NEW  YORK 


lfH.a 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Balboa 1 

Xilona 107 

The  Victorious  Duchess 231 


359302 


I 

BALBOA 
A  Drama  of  Darien 

IN 

Seven  Scenes  and  a  Prologue 


•>   09 


Characters  in  the  Prologue 

Ferdinand,  King  of  Aragon. 

Johanna  the  Mad,  Queen  of  Castile,  his  daughter. 

Las  Casas,  a  Dominican  Friar. 

Fonseca,  Bishop  of  Burgos. 

Conchillos,  Private  Secretary  to  the  King. 

Zamudio,  Messenger  from  Balboa. 

Don  Pedrarias   d'Avila,  Governor  of  Darien. 

Dona  Isabel,  His  wife. 

Enciso,  an  explorer. 

Quevedo,  Bishop  of  Darien. 

Four  ladies  in  attendance  on  the  Queen:  a  dwarf, 
court  jester  to  the  late  King  Philip  the  Fair;  some 
courtiers,  Dominican  friars,  etc.;  a  cardinal,  clergy 
of  the  royal  chapel,  men  at  arms  on  duty  at  the 
Court. 


THE  PROLOGUE 

In  the  upper  room  of  a  monastery  in  Valladolid: 
gothic  arches  opening  across  the  back  upon  a 
cloister,  through  which  a  view  of  roofs  and  towers 
and  the  reddening  sunset  sky.  Double  doorway 
to  the  right  approached  by  several  steps  leads  into 
a  chapel:  opposite  is  a  similar  doorway,  but  with- 
out steps.  Furniture  consists  of  two  gothic  throne- 
Wee  chairs,  standing  together,  left,  facing  stage; 
before  them  stands  a  massive  table  strewn  with 
maps,  parchments,  etc.,  on  which  stand  important 
candlesticks  bearing  lighted  candles,  and  a  globe. 
A  t  the  extreme  back,  right,  between  the  chapel  door 
and  the  arches  leading  into  the  open  cloister,  stands 
a  bier  covered  with  a  black  velvet  pall:  two  lighted 
torches  of  yellow  wax  burn  in  portable  bearers  of 
silver  or  iron.  Around  the  bier  stand  several 
Dominican  friars  reciting  prayers,  sot  to  voce,  and 
four  bearers  in  royal  liveries. 

Upon  tlie  two  thrones  are  seated  King  Ferdinand 
and  Johanna  the  Mad  of  Castile:  behind,  and  to 
one  side  of  the  Queen,  stand  four  ladies,  two  of 
whom  are  old,  wrinkled,  stout  or  otherwise  devoid 
of  good  looks,  while  the  two  others  are  young  and 
3 


4  BALBOA 

good  looking  enough.  Near  the  King  at  the  end 
of  the  table  are  grouped  the  Bishop  of  Burgos, 
the  Bishop  of  Darien,  Las  Casas,  Conchillos  and 
several  courtiers.  Upon  the  table  stand  two  bowls, 
one  containing  specimens  of  gold  nuggets  and  the 
other  of  pearls,  sent  by  Balboa,  as  evidence  of  the 
wealth  of  Darien  and  Panama. 

KING 

What  more  does  the  fellow  write? 

CONCHII/LOS 

[Reading  from  Balboa* s  letter."] 
That  southern  ocean  is  navigable  for  ships,  and  the 
Indians  tell  me  that  it  is  always  calm  and  serene,  never 
tempestuous  like  our  Atlantic.  The  rivers  flowing 
into  it,  carry  down  golden  nuggets  as  large  as  or- 
anges, and  everywhere  along  the  shores  and  islands 
large  and  fair  pearls  are  found  in  such  quantities 
that  all  the  women  wear  ropes  of  them,  and  the  chiefs 
possess  basketsful.  Along  the  coast  of  the  mysteri- 
ous ocean  there  lies  a  vast  and  rich  country  unvisited 
by  white  men,  where  emeralds  are  mined  and  gold  is 
so  common  that  the  inhabitants  use  it  for  their 
household  utensils,  just  like  iron  with  us. 

KING 

This  sounds  like  what  Marco  Polo  wrote  of  Cathay 
and  the  wealth  of  the  Grand  Khan. 


BALBOA  5 

CONCHILLOS 

Or  the  accounts  of  the  kingdom  of  Prester  John. 

BURGOS 

It  is  a  tale  of  Ophir. 

KING 

Hum,  the  fellow  writes  with  a  ready  pen,  but  is  he 
to  be  trusted? 

BURGOS 

All  these  adventurers  write  alike  when  it  is  a  ques- 
tion of  obtaining  Your  Grace's  commission  and  a 
grant  of  money.     We  must  verify. 

KING 

What  does  the  fellow  want? 

CONCHILLOS 

He  wants  a  thousand  well-armed  men,  some  cul- 
verins  and  arquebuses,  with  a  supply  of  ammunition 
and  well-provisioned  ships. 

KING 

He  wants  much.     What  did  you  say  was  his  name? 

CONCHILLOS 

Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa. 

BURGOS 

An  hidalgo  of  gentle  birth  from  an  impoverished 
family  in  Xeres  de  los  Caballeros. 


6  BALBOA 

KING 

Does  anybody  know  him? 

LAS    CASAS 

And  it  please  Your  Grace,  I  know  him. 

KING 

[Quizzically.] 
I'll  be  bound  thou  dost,  friar.     Dost  know  any 
good  of  him? 

LAS    CASAS 

I  know  not  more  evil  than  of  his  fellow  bandits  who 
murder  and  rob  in  Your  Grace's  name  in  the  Indies ; 
he  is  brave  and  he  is  daring. 

KING 

When  went  he  first  thither? 

BURGOS 

He  first  shipped  twelve  years  ago  with  one  Labas- 
tides  and  never  returned  to  Spain.  The  bearer  of 
this  letter,  Sire,  a  colonist  of  Darien  named  Zamudio, 
awaits  Your  Grace's  pleasure. 

KING 

Let  Zamudio  be  summoned. 

[Exit  a  courtier.  ] 
Where  are  the  specimens  of  gold? 


BALBOA  7 

[Nuggets  in  a  stiver  dish  are  put  before  the 
King,  who  examines  them.] 
Has  the  metal  been  tested? 

BURGOS 

The  assayers  report  indifferently. 

KING 

[Mumbling.  ] 
Poor  stuff,  poor  stuff !     And  where  are  the  pearls  ? 
[Pearls  in  a  silver  bowl  are  shown  him.~\ 

KING 

[Examining.] 
Small,  no  weight,  bad  shape,  no  orient.  Poor  stuff, 
poor  stuff.  'Tis  now  twenty  odd  years  since  the 
Genoese,  Columbus,  discovered  these  lands,  and  thus 
far  we  have  had  nothing  from  them  save  expense 
and  trouble. 

BURGOS 

These  specimens,  Sire,  are  from  the  interior.     Bal- 
boa reports  that  better  will  be  found  on  the  sea  coast. 

KING 

How  does  he  know  that  when  he  has  never  been 
there?     A  plague  upon  these  lying  navigators. 

CONCHILLOS 

[Showing  a  large  pearl.] 
This  stone,  Your  Grace,  is  not  unworthy  of  your 
acceptance. 


8  BALBOA 

KING 

[Looking  at  pearl.] 
'Tis  not  so  bad.     Indeed  it  is  the  best  we  have 
seen,  but  'tis  only  one. 

[Enter  courtier  with  Zamudio.] 

courtier 
Senor  Zamudio,  the  messenger. 

queen 
[Starting  up.] 
From  Flanders? 

KING 

[Soothingly.] 
No,  my  child,  not  from  Flanders,  from  Darien. 

QUEEN 

Where  is  Darien? 

KING 

[Pointing  on  map.] 
Darien  is  in  the  Indies:  here  it  is  marked  on  this 
chart. 

QUEEN 

[Heedlessly.] 
No  messenger  comes  from  Flanders.     My  husband 
bides  long  away.     Once  he  sent  messengers  to  an- 
nounce his  coming.     Now  he  sends  none. 


BALBOA  9 

KING 

One  will  come  anon.     Give  attention  now  to  this 
business  which  has  to  do  with  the  extension  of  your 
sovereignty  in  this  new  world. 
[To  Zamudio.] 

Speak  and  disclose  the  project  of  .  .  .  what's  his 
name  ? 

CONCHILLOS 

Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa,  Sire. 

KING 

Just  so,  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa. 

[Queen  relapses  mto  her  lethargy.'] 

ZAMUDIO 

While  exploring  the  new  countries  recently  pacified 
and  brought  under  Your  Grace's  royal  sceptre,  Bal- 
boa learned  from  a  chieftain  called  Comogre,  that 
beyond  the  mountain  frontiers  of  that  province,  there 
was  a  vast  ocean  never  seen  by  white  men.  It 
stretches  infinitely  to  the  south  and  west. 

KING 

How  far  distant  from  Darien? 

ZAMUDIO 

No  great  distance,  Sire,  as  a  bird  flies,  but  difficult 
to  approach  for  want  of  roads.  The  track  leads 
through  treacherous  swamps  infested  with  poisonous 


10  BALBOA 

reptiles,  and  over  rugged  mountains  where  ferocious 
beasts  of  prey  have  their  lairs.  Cannibal  tribes, 
fiercer  than  the  lions  and  tigers,  dwell  there.  Along 
the  coast  of  that  mighty  ocean  stretches  a  land  rich 
in  emeralds,  pearls  and  gold. 

KING 

What  proof  has  Balboa  that  this  chieftain's  tale  is 
true  ? 

ZAMUDIO 

The  chief  has  become  a  Christian;  he  is  baptised 
Carlos. 

KING 

Um  ...  he  may  still  be  a  liar  for  all  that. 

ZAMUDIO 

He  is  our  friend  and  does  not  lie.  All  his  treas- 
ures come  from  that  ocean. 

KING 

Why  does  he  reveal  this  secret  to  strangers  ?  Why 
does  he  not  keep  the  knowledge  of  such  treasure  to 
himself? 

las  casas 
Because,  Your  Grace,  those  children  of  nature  in 
the  new  world  prize  not  wealth.     The  lust  for  gold 
is  a  curse  they  have  escaped,  and  they  know  no  differ- 
ence between  mine  and  thine. 


BALBOA  11 

KING 

{Slyly.} 
Some  Christians  who  do  know  it  seem  to  forget  it. 

LAS    CASAS 

The  Indians  hold  all  things  in  common  and  share 
alike  the  products  of  beneficent  Nature.  They  even 
esteem  it  better  to  give  than  to  receive. 

KING 

This  apostolic  disposition  should  be  encouraged. 

QUEVEDO 

I  doubt  not  that  our  Spaniards  attend  to  that. 

LAS    CASAS 

They  would  do  better  to  imitate  it. 

ZAMUDIO 

Balboa  beseeches  Your  Grace  to  give  him  authority 
to  discover  and  take  possession  of  this  unknown  ocean 
for  Spain.  He  needs  a  thousand  men  well  armed  and 
equipped. 

KING 

He  is  modest. 

.  BURGOS 

It  should  not  be  forgotten,  Sire,  that  Nicuesa,  to 
whom  Your  Grace  gave  jurisdiction  over  those  coun- 
tries, was  expelled  from  Darien,  sent  to  sea  in  an 


12  BALBOA 

open  boat  and  has  never  since  been  seen :  his  partner, 
Enciso,   has  lodged   a   complaint   against  this   same 
Balboa  and  is  now  at  court  to  plead  his  cause.      (He 
signs  to  courtier  to  call  Enciso. ) 
[Exit  courtier.  ] 

KING 

I  do   remember.     We  will  hear  Enciso.     Has  he 
come  ? 

QUEEN 

[Starting.  ] 
Has  he  come  .  .  .  from  Flanders? 

KING 

[Soothingly.] 
Not   yet,    my    daughter.     We    discuss    affairs    of 
State.      (The  Queen  relapses  into  her  lethargy.) 

ZAMUDIO 

Nicuesa's   jurisdiction  never  extended  to  Darien. 
His  boundaries  are  clearly  marked  upon  the  chart. 
(They  examine  a  map.) 
[Enter  Enciso.] 

conchii/los 
Your  Grace,  Enciso  is  here. 

KING 

[To  Enciso.] 
Approach.     You   have  lodged   complaint  against 
Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa.     What  is  your  accusation? 


BALBOA  13 

ENCISO 

Murder,  usurpation  and  treason,  Your  Grace. 

KING 

These  are  big  words. 

ENCISO 

Balboa  put  Nicuesa  in  an  unseaworthy  boat  and 
turned  him  adrift:  he  has  seized  the  power  he  un- 
lawfully exercises.  He  is  a  tyrant  who  acts  without 
warrant,  as  though  he  held  Your  Grace's  commission. 
He  robbed  me,  Your  Grace's  representative,  of  my 
property,  and  after  casting  me  into  prison,  he  drove 
me  from  the  colony  and  sent  me  back  to  Spain. 

zamudio 
Nicuesa  was  repulsed  from  Darien  by  all  the  colon- 
ists, for  he  had  no  right  there.  I  submit,  Your 
Grace,  that  were  Balboa  guilty  of  this  act  or  of  trea- 
sonable designs,  he  would  not  release  Enciso  and  send 
him  hither  to  act  as  his  accuser. 

QUEVEDO 

Not  unless  he  be  a  fool. 

IAS   casas 
He  may  be  anything  you  like,  but  not  that. 

KING 

[Musingly.] 
There  is  somewhat  in  your  argument. 


14  BALBOA 

ZAMUDIO 

Had  Balboa  aught  to  fear,  he  might  have  held  En- 
ciso  prisoner  —  or  even  killed  him. 

las  casas 
Killing  is  common  enough  in  those  parts. 

KING 

[To  Enciso.] 
What  do  you  answer? 

ENCISO 

He  dared  do  neither  because  of  the  sentiment  in 
the  colony.  The  people  are  weary  of  his  tyranny  and 
only  await  Your  Grace's  warrants  to  arrest  him  and 
bring  him  to  trial.  Here  are  my  charges  drawn  up 
in  due  order  (showing  paper),  of  which  I  beg  Your 
Grace  to  cause  a  hearing  to  be  had  before  impartial 
judges.  The  list  of  Balboa's  misdeeds  and  crimes 
is  lengthy.      (Conchillos  takes  the  paper.) 

KING 

[To  Burgos.] 
Refer  these  charges  to  Our  India  Council  and  re- 
port  their   decision   to   me.     This   matter   must   be 
sifted.     I  know  not  whom  to  believe. 

BURGOS 

By  Your  Grace's  orders,  a  new  governor,  Pedrarias 
d'Avila,  has   been   appointed   for   Darien,   with   full 


BALBOA  15 

powers  to  investigate  all  charges  against  Balboa  and 
to  execute  justice.  His  commission  awaits  the 
Queen's  signature  and  that  of  Your  Grace.  (Con- 
chillos  lays  the  commission  on  the  table.) 

KING 

Pedrarias  is  a  gallant  soldier.  He  tilts  a  doughty 
lance. 

BURGOS 

[To  courtier.'] 
Admit  the  governor  of  Darien. 
[Exit  courtier.] 

KING 

Aye,  aye,  Pedrarias  dances  an  uncommon  graceful 
step ;  though  he  has  left  his  youth  behind  him,  he  is 
still  called  the  "  gallant  "  Pedrarias. 

IAS   casas 
[Sarcastically.'] 
Just  the  man  to  govern  a  colony  in  the  new  world 
and  to  convert  the  Indians. 

BURGOS 

He  has  enrolled  a  company  of  fifteen  hundred  men, 
amongst  whom  are  many  gentlemen  eager  to  serve 
Your  Grace  in  the  Indies. 

LAS   casas 
Serve  the  devil  and  their  own  pockets. 


16  BALBOA 

KING 

[Reading.'] 
Fifteen  hundred  men?     This  expedition  is  costing 
our  treasury  a  pretty  outlay. 

BURGOS 

Think  of  the  profits,  Sire. 

KING 

I  do  think  of  them,  but  unfortunately  the  profits 
are  problematical,  while  the  outlay  is  certain. 

[Enter  Pedrarias  leading  Dona  Isabel;  and 
courtier.] 

courtier 
Don  Pedrarias  d'Avila. 

BURGOS 

Your  Grace's  newly  appointed  governor  of  Darien. 

pedrarias 
[Making  obeisance.] 
I  kiss  your  hand,  Sire,  and  render  thanks  for  the 
high   favour   Your   Grace   has    shown   me.      (Dona 
Isabel  curtseys  profoundly.) 

KING 

We  have  set  you  no  easy  task  but  we  know  your 
loyalty  and  count  upon  it.  Dona  Isabel,  do  you 
accompany  Don  Pedrarias? 


BALBOA  17 

ISABEL 

With  Your  Grace's  leave. 

KING 

The  j  ourney  is  long. 

ISABEL 

Waiting  for  him  to  return  would  be  longer. 

KING 

There  are  dangers  and  privations. 

ISABEL 

I  would  suffer  them  all  a  thousand  fold  rather  than 
eat  my  heart  out  in  Spain.  My  place  is  with  my  hus- 
band. 

KING 

May  God  keep  you  both  and  give  you  a  prosperous 
voyage.  (Both  bow  low.)  You  will  administer  jus- 
tice in  the  colony  and  bring  the  strife  and  contention 
between  these  petitioners  to  an  end. 

CONCHILLOS 

Don  Pedrarias'  commission  awaits  the  royal  sig- 
nature. Likewise  the  new  edicts  for  the  government 
of  the  colony  and  the  Indians  are  ready. 

LAS    CASAS 

I  beseech  Your  Grace  send  not  fifteen  hundred  more 
assassins  to  murder  your  Indian  subjects. 


18  BALBOA 

BURGOS 

Insolent  friar !  Do  you  thus  designate  the  chivalry 
of  Spain? 

LAS    CASAS 

I  am  an  eye  witness  of  the  deeds  of  Spanish  chiv- 
alry among  those  defenceless  people. 

KING 

We  labour  first  of  all  for  the  conversion  of  the  In- 
dians to  our  holy  faith.  The  Pope  has  so  commanded 
us. 

LAS    CASAS 

Then  in  God's  name,  Sire,  send  not  these  rapacious 
fortune-seekers  who  torture,  burn  and  hang  innocent 
natives  to  obtain  their  gold.  What  sane  Indian  will 
be  won  by  such  methods  to  embrace  a  religion  its 
preachers  do  not  practise? 

KING 

This  is  strong  speech,  friar. 

LAS    CASAS 

Nay,  Your  Grace,  'tis  weak  and  feeble  enough,  nor 
can  human  tongue  describe  the  horrors  our  people 
work  in  those  lands  Almighty  God  created  an  earthly 
paradise. 

BURGOS 

Wild  exaggerations  that  defame  our  nation. 


BALBOA  19 

LAS    CASAS 

Then  it  is  strange  no  man  stands  forth  to  disprove 
my  charges.  If  Your  Grace  will  govern  well,  send  to 
the  Indies  frugal,  industrious  emigrants  who  will  till 
the  soil  and  labour  with  their  hands  to  develop  the 
country,  rather  than  frivolous  courtiers  who  go  only 
to  exploit  it  to  their  own  profit.  If  you  would  con- 
vert the  Indians,  send  them  zealous  friars  of  apos- 
tolic life  who  will  preach  the  faith,  not  dissolute 
soldiers  who  debauch  and  murder  them. 

BURGOS 

Cease  this  insolent  ranting  in  Their  Graces'  pres- 
ence. 

LAS    CASAS 

For  full  five  years  I  have  proclaimed  these  truths 
throughout  Spain  and  I  shall  continue  till  justice 
be  done  the  Indians. 

KING 

Will  nothing  silence  thy  tongue  ? 

LAS    CASAS 

Unless  you  take  my  head  .  .  .  there  is  no  other 
way. 

KING 

Thou  settest  so  little  store  upon  it,  I  suspect  it  is 
of  small  value.  Don  Pedrarias,  you  will  have  Our 
Council's  instructions.     Now  also  I  charge  you  to 


20  BALBOA 

report  truthfully  upon  the  conditions  in  the  colony 
and  upon  the  progress  made  in  converting  the  Indians 
to  the  Catholic  faith.  His  Holiness  has  designated 
this  bishop  for  Darien.      (Indicates  Quevedo.) 

PEDRARIAS 

Your  Grace  may  rely  upon  me.      (He  and  Que- 
vedo speak  together  aside.) 

LAS   casas 
'Twere  better  never  an  Indian  were  converted  and 
never  a  rood  added  to  the  Spanish  realm  than  that 
these  things  be  done  by  such  means  as  are  now  em- 
ployed. 

BURGOS 

[To  the  Queen.'] 
Your  Grace's  signature  to  the  Governor's  commis- 
sion and  to  the  edict  is  required.      (The  Queen  ab- 
sently takes  the  papers.)     Sign  here,  Madam. 

LAS   casas 
[Kneeling  before  the  Queen.] 
I  do  beseech  Your  Grace,  who  is  Queen  of  Castile, 
to  protect  these  your  Indian  subjects. 

queen 
[Interested.] 
For  that  am  I  queen  —  to  protect  my  subjects. 
Who  harms  them  ? 


BALBOA  21 

LAS    CASAS 

Our  Spaniards  who  are  sent  thither  to  make  them 
Christians  and  loyal  subjects,  torment  and  destroy 
them.  They  tear  children  from  their  parents  and 
wives  from  their  husbands,  to  make  slaves  of  them. 

QUEEN 

Wives  separated  from  their  husbands !  This  must 
not  be.  It  is  my  will  that  these  Indians  whom  God 
has  given  into  my  keeping  shall  be  free.  Let  none 
molest  them;  let  none  dare  to  enslave  them.  Wives 
and  husbands  shall  dwell  together  in  peace  and  unity 
under  the  protection  of  my  crown  .   .  .  together. 

BURGOS 

Your  Grace.  .  .  . 

QUEEN 

Who  are  you? 

KING 

Our  most  wise  and  trusted  president  of  the  India 
Council,  the  bishop  of  Burgos. 

QUEEN 

Then  let  him  betake  himself  to  his  diocese  where  a 
bishop  belongs.  Let  us  now  despatch  this  governor 
—  as  well  him  as  another  —  but  the  drawing  of  the 
new  laws  may  wait  yet  awhile.  (She  signs  the  com- 
mission.    To  Pedrarias.)     Sir,  you  have  heard  my 


22  BALBOA 

will,  and  forget  not  that  I  am  Queen  of  Castile. 
(To  Las  Casas,  handing  him  the  unsigned  edict.) 
Friar,  I  like  thy  speech.  Take  this  and  come  with 
me.  We  will  draw  the  new  laws  as  thou  wouldst  have 
them.  There  must  be  no  tears  shed  by  my  Indian 
subjects.     Now  I  go  to  Tordesillas.      (She  rises.) 

KING 

[Protestmgly.] 
It  is  already  night.     Be  advised,  my  daughter. 

QUEEN 

It  is  always  night  and  therefore  do  I  now  go. 
Since  the  sun  has  gone  out  forever  and  I  am  a  widow, 
there  is  no  more  day  for  me.  .  .  . 

BURGOS 

If  Your  Grace  will  have  patience,  there  is  still 
business  to  be  despatched. 

QUEEN 

This  is  no  time  for  business.  (SJie  rises  and  leaves 
her  seat  followed  anxiously  by  her  ladies.)  Now  is 
my  marriage  day  at  hand  and  Philip  is  come  from 
Flanders.  (She  goes  to  the  bier,  stares  and  then 
sobs.)  .  .  .  His  bier  is  my  marriage  bed.  Life  di- 
vided, but  death  unites  us.  (To  the  attendants.) 
Uncover  the  King's  face.  (They  lift  back  the  pall: 
the  Queen  turns  and  scans  the  faces  of  her  ladies.) 
Art  thou  fair?     Then  stand  aside  for  he  must  not 


BALBOA  23 

look  on  thee.  (She  signs  the  two  younger  ones  aside 
and  permits  the  old  women  to  advance  with  her.) 
Now  let  us  get  hence  from  this  place.  We  go  to  Tor- 
desillas.  Where  is  the  fool?  (A  court-fool,  dwarf, 
in  cap  and  bells,  approaches  her  and  cuts  a  caper.) 
He  always  liked  to  have  thee  near,  for  thou  hast  a 
merry  wit.  Philip  loved  to  laugh.  (She  lauglis.) 
No,  no !  Get  out  of  my  sight.  This  is  no  place 
for  fools  and  laughter.  We  go  upon  an  eternal  pil- 
grimage hand  in  hand  with  death.  Cover  the  King's 
face  and  let  a  dirge  be  sung.  (They  cover  the  bier; 
the  De  Profundis  is  begun  by  the  choristers;  the  bear- 
ers lift  the  bier  and  go  slowly  after  the  choristers, 
followed  by  the  Queen,  her  ladies  and  the  fool. ) 
[Exeunt.] 

KING 

[Thoughtfully.] 
Was  ever  monarch  so  put  to  it  as  I  ? 

BURGOS 

This  business  then  is  settled.  (Gives  Pedrarias 
his  commission.)  Much  is  staked  on  this  venture, 
from  which  great  profits  are  promised. 

LAS    CASAS 

Thus  are  kings  deluded  by  knaves,  and  the  traffic 
in  human  souls  goes  on. 

KING 

[To  Las  Casas.] 
Friar,  thou  hadst  best  follow  the  Queen. 


24  BALBOA 

CONCHILLOS 

You  have  worked  mischief  enough  by  your  med- 
dling. 

BURGOS 

Aye,  both  you  and  the  fool,  follow  the  Queen  — 
likewise  bereft  of  her  reason. 

LAS    CASAS 

She  must  indeed  seem  so  to  you  since  she  loves  jus- 
tice and  despises  money,  but  be  mindful,  my  lord 
bishop,  that  the  wisdom  of  the  world  is  foolishness  be- 
fore God.  {To  the  King.)  With  Your  Grace's 
leave  I  go.  I  call  upon  the  hierarchy  of  heaven  and 
all  the  inhabitants  of  this  earth  to  witness  what  I 
have  spoken.  If  Your  Majesty  abandons  those 
countries  to  the  tyranny  of  such  Spaniards  as  have 
until  now  gone  thither,  God's  curse  will  fall  upon 
Spain.  {To  Burgos.)  The  Queen's  folly  leads  to 
heaven,  your  wisdom  takes  you  to  hell.  I  follow  the 
Queen. 

[Exit  Las  Casas.] 

BURGOS 

This  meddlesome  monk  is  a  very  pest.  {To  Ped- 
rarias.)  You  understand  this  man  Balboa  must  be 
silenced.  If  there  is  anything  in  his  report  we'll  do 
our  own  discovering  without  him. 


BALBOA  25 

KING 

[Chuckling.  ] 
I  think  the  friar  had  thee  on  the  hip,  my  lord  of 
Burgos. 

[TJie  angelus  rings;  all  rise  and  cross  themselves. 
The  organ  is  heard  in  the  church,  the  doors  of 
which  open:  simultaneously  the  door  on  oppo- 
site side  of  the  stage  opens  and  a  cardinal  in 
cappa  magna,  preceded  by  a  cross-bearer  and 
followed  by  several  ecclesiastics  and  his  train- 
bearer,  enters.  He  raises  his  biretta  and 
bows  to  the  King,  who  salutes  and  joins  him, 
both  ascending  the  church  steps  together  fol- 
lowed by  all  the  others.  A  priest  vested  in  a 
golden  cope  and  accompanied  by  two  acolytes 
carrying  lighted  candles  receives  them  at  the 
door  and  all  enter  the  church,  while  the  choir 
inside  sings:  Ecce  Sacerdos  magnus.~\ 


CUETAIN 


BALBOA 


Comrades  of  Balboa. 


Characters  in  the  Play 

Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa. 

Pedr arias   d'Avila,   Governor  of  Darien. 

Francisco  Pizarro 

Arbolancho 

Garabito 

BOTELLO 

Arguello 

Comogre,  an  Indian  Chief. 

Quevedo,  Bishop  of  Darien. 

Fulvia,  an  Indian  girl. 

Careta,  her  brother. 

Dona  Isabel,  Wife  of  Pedrarias. 

Tubunama,  an  Indian  seer. 

Ayora,  Captam  of  the  guard. 

Valderrabano,  a  Notary. 

Executioner. 

Soldiers,  sailors  and  men  under  Balboa;  Spanish 
followers  of  Pedrarias,  Indians,  negroes,  Dominican 
friars  and  brothers  of  the  Misericordia  Fraternity. 


BALBOA 

SCENE  I 

At  Santa  Maria  Darien 

Interior  of  Balboa's  house.  A  large,  lofty  room  built 
of  logs,  thatched  roof  showing  beams;  sparsely 
and  rudely  furnished  save  for  two  armchairs  of 
Spanish  leather  with  brass  nails.  Weapons  on  the 
walls,  a  holy  picture  before  which  burns  a  lamp. 
Through  an  open  door  and  window  at  the  back  is 
seen  a  view  of  tropical  landscape  in  bright  sun- 
shine. Fulvia  cradles  her  baby  m  a  hamac,  croon- 
ing a  plaintive,  melancholy  song.  She  is  a  beauti- 
ful young  girl,  dressed  in  soft,  diaphanous  stuffs, 
arms,  legs  and  breast  partially  exposed;  her  hair 
is  elaborately  dressed  with  flowers  and  jewels  and 
she  wears  several  strings  of  pearls,  bracelets, 
anklets,  etc.,  and  holds  a  fan  of  gorgeous  feathers. 

FULVIA 

[Singing.] 

Rico  lana,  beri  lubel, 
Ferni  rize,  copa  timare, 

Tuhe,  Tabe,  Tuhe. 
29 


30  BALBOA 

Tantomanel,  olivero  cori  solare 
Tuhe,  Tabe  Tuhe. 

BALBOA 

Are  there  no  Indian  songs  but  sad  ones,  Fulvia? 

FULVIA 

This  song  is  not  sad.     Very  good  song. 

BALBOA 

It  sounds  melancholy. 

FULVIA 

I  sing  to  baby.     I  tell  him  he  is  a  Spanish  baby. 

BALBOA 

[Teasing.] 
Oh,  he  is  an  Indian  baby. 

FULVIA 

No,  him  Spanish  baby  and  one  day,  bimeby,  will 
be  a  great  man  like  his  father. 

BALBOA 

Let's  look  at  him.     He  is  an  Indian  baby. 

FULVIA 

Him  Spaniard.  See  his  sunshine  hair,  just  like 
father's. 

BALBOA 

If  he  is  Spanish,  then  he  will  some  day  go  to  Spain, 
far,  far  across  the  great  waters  —  a  long,  long  jour- 
ney.    And  what  wilt  thou  do  then? 


BALBOA  31 

FULVIA 

[Doubtfully.] 
Perhaps   I  go  too.     Yes,  by   then  I  learn  to  be 
Spanish  lady,  and  I  go  too.     Tell  me,  Vasco,  what 
must  I  do  to  be  Spanish  lady  ? 

VASCO 

Thou  hadst  best  remain  what  thou  art  —  the  pret- 
tiest, the  most  fascinating  little  baggage  that  ever 
bewitched  a  Christian  Spaniard's  senses. 

FULVIA 

Yes,  here  in  Darien  —  but  to  be  a  Spanish  lady, 
so  thou  wouldst  love  me  in  Spain.  (A  distant  can- 
non shot  is  heard.) 

BALBOA 

[Starting  up.] 
A  ship !     She  was  sighted  early  this  morning  in  the 
offing.      (He  goes  to  the  door  to  look  out.) 
[Enter  Garabito.] 

GARABITO 

Don  Vasco,  a  ship  is  casting  anchor.  She  has  sig- 
nalled. 

BALBOA 

I  heard  her  gun.     Is  she  from  Spain? 

GARABITO 

Directly  from  Santo  Domingo. 


32  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

But  originally  from  Spain,  no  doubt.  If  she  but 
brings  the  letters  from  Zamudio ;  they  are  overdue. 
This  life  of  idleness  palls,  and  during  long,  empty 
weeks  I  dream  of  fresh  conquests.  Everything  is 
ready  for  my  expedition  to  the  South  Sea,  only  the 
King's  commission  is  lacking.  (He  puts  on  his  sword 
and  hat.)  Follow  me,  Garabito;  I  must  know  what 
news  yon  vessel  brings. 
[Exit  Balboa.] 

GARABITO 

I  come. 

[Left  alone  with  Fulvia,  Garabito  eyes  her 
meaningly,  slowly  approaching  her.  Fulvia 
resumes  her  song  at  the  hamac.  He  suddenly 
tries  to  embrace  her  but  she  eludes  him.'] 

garabito 
Don't  be  shy,  you  jade;  we  are  alone. 

FULVIA 

[Calmly.'] 
I  not  shy.     I  hate  you. 

GARABITO 

I  taught  you  differently  once,  when  you  belonged 
to  me. 

FULVIA 

I  belong  to  Don  Vasco  .  .  .  your  master. 


BALBOA  33 

GAEABITO 

By  lot  you  belonged  to  me.     You  were  mine  till  he 
took  you  from  me,  curse  him. 

FULVIA 

[Mimicking.  ] 
Curse  him,  curse  him.  You  no  Spanish  man; 
Spaniards  do  not  lie.  When  Don  Vasco  here,  then 
before  his  face  you  all  smiles  and  bows :  Don  Vasco, 
my  friend,  my  captain.  Behind  his  back  you  say 
"  curse  him."  You  not  even  Indian  man ;  you  snake 
in  the  bush,  alligator  in  the  mud. 

GARABITO 

[Catching  her.] 
You  taunt  me,  you  hussy.     I'll  have  you  one  way 
or  another,  by  what  means  I  can. 

FULVIA 

[Struggling.] 
Let  me  go.     I  tell  Vasco. 

GARABITO 

You  tell  Vasco  and  I'll  kill  you. 

FULVIA 

No,  I  tell  Vasco  and  he  kill  you. 
[As  they  struggle  enter  Balboa.] 


34  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

By  the  mass,  what  is  this  ?  You  dare  lay  hands  on 
her  in  my  house. 

[He  draws  his  sword.] 

GARABITO 

She  belongs  to  me,  I  had  her  first. 

BALBOA 

Well,  I  have  her  now.  Draw,  you  bully  of  women, 
or  I'll  run  you  through  where  you  stand.  (They 
cross  swords.) 

[Enter  Pizarro.] 

pizarro 
Sacramento !     Have   Spaniards  no   other  use   for 
their  swords,  than  to  kill  one  another? 

[He  rushes  in  with  drawn  sword  and  knocks  up 
their  blades.'] 
Why,  Vasco,  what's  this  quarrel  about? 

BALBOA 

[To  Garabito.] 
Get  hence  and  never  show  your  face  again  at  my 
threshold. 

GARABITO 

[Recovering  himself.] 
Nay,  Don  Vasco,  you  are  too  hot  blooded;  'twas 
but  a  bit  of  play  and  I  meant  no  harm. 


BALBOA  35 

BALBOA 

I  like  not  your  play,  nor  does  Fulvia. 

GARABITO 

The  wench  knows  me. 

BALBOA 

Mind  your  tongue  and  be  not  so  free  with  your 
"  wench." 

PIZARRO 

Vasco,  old  friend,  how  often  hast  thou  preached 
peace  and  good  will  amongst  comrades,  and  here  thou 
art  at  swords  drawn  with  Garabito  about  an  Indian 
girl. 

BALBOA 

Francisco,  thou  meanest  well,  but  there  is  more  be- 
hind than  thou  seest.  Let  him  keep  to  his  own  women 
and  leave  my  house  to  me. 

GARABITO 

Well,  I  bear  no  malice  and  am  foi  peace,  our  friend- 
ship is  of  old  date. 

BALBOA 

Friendship  has  its  privileges  and  its  obligations. 
I  do  not  expect  my  friends  to  play  the  libertine  in  my 
household.  There  is  an  ugly  name  in  Spain  for  such 
tricks.  Fulvia,  take  away  the  boy.  (Exit  Fulvia 
carrying  the  baby.)      No  more  of  this  for  the  pres- 


36  BALBOA 

ent.  Francisco,  I  called  you  and  Arguello  to  coun- 
sel. (To  Garabito.)  Sir,  I  am  now  engaged  with 
Senor  Pizarro. 

GARABITO 

[Sullenly.] 
As  you  will. 

[Exit  Garabito.] 

pizarro 
Is  it  wise  to  make  an  enemy  of  Garabito? 

BALBOA 

Garabito   is   nobody's    friend.     If  he   will  be  my 
enemy,  I  cannot  force  his  friendship. 
[Enter  Arguello.] 

ARGUELLO 

[Eagerly.] 
Well,  Vasco,  what  news  from  Zamudio? 

BALBOA 

[Gloomily.'] 
This  letter. 

ARGUELLO 

And  thy  commission,  has  it  come? 

BALBOA 

No.      (Garabito  appears  stealthily  listening  at  the 
window. ) 


BALBOA  37 

ARGUELLO 

Pest!  And  what's  the  matter  now?  What  does 
Zamudio  all  these  weary  weeks  at  court? 

BALBOA 

When  Zamudio  reached  Valladolid,  he  found  him- 
self already  forestalled  by  Enciso  who  had  prejudiced 
the  Bishop  of  Burgos  against  me. 

PIZARRO 

But  the  King? 

BALBOA 

The  King  sees  with  the  bishop's  eyes  and  hears  with 
the  bishop's  ears.  Zamudio  and  Enciso  confronted 
one  another  in  the  King's  presence.  It  had  all  been 
prearranged  by  Burgos. 

ARGUELLO 

But  Zamudio  took  money  —  all  our  treasure  to 
buy  the  bishop. 

BALBOA 

Well,  it  wasn't  enough  ...  or  Enciso  took  more. 

PIZARRO 

The  bishop  comes  high.  Burgos  doubtless  col- 
lected from  both. 

BALBOA 

And  will  serve  neither. 


38  BALBOA 

ARGUELLO 

No  commission  for  the  expedition  to  the  South  Sea ! 
Cuerpo  de  Dios! 

pizarro 
Neither  men,  nor  ships,  nor  stores? 

BALBOA 

Nothing.  I  have  got  nothing  from  the  King  .  .  . 
neither  commission,  nor  ships,  nor  arms,  nor  men ; 
aye,  less  than  nothing,  for  Zamudio  has  failed  miser- 
ably and  through  the  influence  of  the  Bishop  of  Bur- 
gos a  new  governor  is  named  for  this  colony  who 
shortly  sails  with  fifteen  hundred  men.  I  am  to  be 
tried. 

PIZARRO 

Per  Dios!  These  stay-at-home  busybodies  make 
the  King's  service  hard  for  us  working  men. 

ARGUELLO 

This  finishes  me.  All  the  treasure  I  sent  to  the 
King  is  swallowed  up  in  the  omnivorous  maw  of  that 
insatiable  bishop.     I  am  a  beggar  by  this. 

BALBOA 

My  friends,  we  face  a  decisive  moment.  I  take  it 
you  are  not  men  to  sit  awaiting  for  this  calamity  to 
crush  you.  Hence  have  I  summoned  you,  for  no 
more  am  I.  Since  the  King  sends  me  no  commission, 
I  shall  act  without  one.     Success  will  justify  our  act, 


BALBOA  39 

while  failure.  .  .  .  Well,  failure  will  leave  us  no  worse 
off  than  we  are,  nor  shall  I  survive  it. 

PIZARRO 

Name  not  the  word. 

ARGUELLO 

My  last  ducat  is  invested  in  this  venture  and  if  we 
fail,  I  am  bankrupt. 

PIZARRO 

Thou  hast  seen  bankruptcy  before,  Argiiello. 

ARGUELLO 

I  was  then  younger  with  hope  ahead.  This  is  my 
last  throw  with  fortune  for  I  am  old. 

BALBOA 

We  shall  not  fail.  Zamudio's  report  from  Spain 
must  rest  with  us ;  no  suspicion  that  he  has  failed 
must  get  abroad.  In  this  supreme  moment  we  trust 
one  another  but  none  else.  Several  weeks  must  still 
elapse  ere  the  new  governor  arrives :  of  them  we  must 
make  good  use. 

PIZARRO 

Whom  does  the  King  send  us  as  governor? 

BALBOA 

Pedrarias  d'Avila,  and  he  brings  his  wife. 
[Exclamations  of  disgust. ] 


40  BALBOA 

ARGUELLO 

[Reading  Zamudio's  letter. ] 
And  fifteen  hundred  men,  many  of  them  gentlemen 
of  the  court. 

pizarro 
Gentlemen !  forsooth,  and  what  shall  this  colony  do 
with  gentlemen  of  the  court? 

ARGUELLO 

Work  for  them,  feed  them,  give  them  the  profit  and 
take  their  kicks  for  thanks. 

BALBOA 

Experience  inspires  thy  speech,  Argiicllo.  We 
have  seen  such  things  in  Santo  Domingo  and  Cuba. 
The  governor  will  use  us  —  our  knowledge  of  this 
country  and  the  language,  our  good  relations  with 
the  Indians  and  our  experience.  He'll  take  the  glory 
of  the  discovery  for  himself  and  sail  away  with  his 
courtiers  to  Spain  where  they'll  divide  the  treasure 
amongst  them.  Per  Dios!  I'll  sweat  and  toil  no 
longer  in  this  pest-hole  to  profit  a  lot  of  mincing 
jack-a-napes. 

PIZARRO 

Nor  I.  'Tis  no  pittance  from  their  leavings  will 
satisfy  me ;  I  am  out  for  a  fortune. 

ARGUELLO 

Well,  then,  Vasco,  what's  in  thy  mind? 


BALBOA  41 

[Balboa  goes  to  the  door  leading  to  the  inner 
room  and  calls  Fulvia,  who  appears.] 

BALBOA 

[To  Fulvia.] 
Is  the  young  chief,  Comogre,  still  here? 
[She  nods  assent.] 

BALBOA 

Call  him  quickly  hither. 
[Exit  Fulvia.] 

I  pledge  you  both  to  secrecy.  (They  clasp 
hands.)  We  stand  or  we  fall  together,  for  what  I 
plan  is  dubbed  treason  in  Spain  .  .  .  unless  it  prove 
successful. 

ARGUELLO 

Let  us  hear. 

BALBOA 

We  must  forestall  the  arrival  of  Pedrarias.  With 
every  able-bodied  man  the  colony  can  muster,  we'll 
start  for  the  great  South  Sea  of  which  Comogre  has 
told  me.     I'll  publish  that  my  commission  has  come. 

PIZARRO 

But  Comogre  vows  we  need  a  thousand  men  and 
good  arms  and  provisions. 

ARGUELLO 

And  we  have  them  not. 


42  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

Then  we  must  go  without  them.  Comogre  will 
furnish  us  both  warriors  and  porters  to  carry  our 
baggage;  he  himself  will  be  our  guide.  As  for  the 
provisions,  we  must  live  on  the  country. 

PIZARRO 

We  have  done  it  before. 
[Enter  Comogre.] 

BALBOA 

Draw  near,  Comogre,  and  tell  us  of  the  road  to  the 
great  southern  ocean. 

COMOGRE 

The  road  very  hard,  but  Comogre  will  lead  his 
friends  by  the  easiest  way. 

PIZARRO 

To  the  great  South  Sea? 

COMOGRE 

And  to  the  islands  of  pearls  and  spices ;  and  to  the 
rich  land  beyond  whence  comes  the  gold  the  Chris- 
tians love. 

PIZARRO 

I  suffer  from  a  malady  of  the  eyes  that  only  the 
sight  of  gold  in  large  quantities  can  cure. 

ARGUELLO 

My  doctor  recommends  me  to  hang  many  strings 


BALBOA  43 

of  large  pearls  around  my  neck  against  this  rheum. 
{He  coughs.) 

COMOGRE 

My  people  know  not  such  ailments. 

ARGUELLO 

The  better  for  them.  They  are  obstinate  mala- 
dies. 

BALBOA 

How  many  men  can  we  muster? 

PIZARRO 

Close  on  two  hundred. 

BALBOA 

Arms  enough? 

PIZARRO 

Pikes  and  swords  in  plenty ;  powder  is  scarce. 

BALBOA 

Never  mind.  We  have  our  dogs.  My  brave  Le- 
oncino  is  worth  a  troop  of  musketeers.  Comogre,  we 
count  on  you  for  warriors  and  porters. 

PIZARRO 

And  provisions  .  .  .  maize. 

COMOGRE 

All  that  my  people  possess  belongs  to  our  friends. 


44  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

We  start  before  dawn. 

COMOGRE 

I  go  prepare. 

[Exit  Comogre.] 

ARGUELLO 

And  I  remain  behind  to  face  a  greater  danger  than 
you  .   .   .  the  arrival  of  Pedrarias. 

BALBOA 

We'll  be  back  before  them.  We  must  meet  him 
with  the  news  of  our  great  discovery. 

ARGUELLO 

God  grant  it. 

BALBOA 

Be  of  good  cheer,  Argliello,  for  we  shall  not  fail. 
We  bear  the  cross  of  Christ  and  the  image  of  His 
holy  mother  on  our  banner.  We'll  be  the  first  Chris- 
tians to  gaze  upon  the  great  South  Sea.  That  ocean 
shall  be  Spanish  and  pour  the  wealth  of  its  watery 
depths  and  endless  coasts  into  the  treasure  chest  of 
Castile.  For  God,  St.  James  and  Spain !  be  our  cry. 
We  shall  not  fail ! 

[Exeunt  arm  m  arm.] 

curtain 


SCENE  II 

A  wild  spot  m  a  wood:  tall  fantastic  crags  rising 
amidst  riotous  tropical  verdure.  A  steep  slope 
rises  across  the  background  the  rocky  crest  of 
which  forms  the  skyline,  the  Pacific  ocean  lying 
beyond,  invisible.  Rough  camping  outfit,  Indians 
busy  with  fire  wood,  a  pot  boiling  over  a  fire. 
Spaniards  reclining  in  extreme  weariness  and  de- 
jection, or  occupied  with  the  dogs.  Fulvia,  car- 
rying her  baby,  is  seated  with  other  Indian  women 
to  one  side,  where  stands  her  mule.  Comogre 
stands  with  Balboa,  Pizarro,  Arbolancho,  Gara- 
bito  and  Botello  ;  it  is  evening  and  the  gorge 
where  the  camp  is  lies  in  gloom,  but  beyond  the 
skyline  of  the  slope  the  sky  is  ablaze  with  a  tropi- 
cal sunset. 

COMOGRE 

\_Pointing  to  the  ridge.~\ 
From  there,  Captain,  you  will  see  the  great  waters. 

garabito 
From  there,  from  there.   .  .  .  Always  from  some- 
where else  than  where  we  are.     I  am  sick  of  this  aim- 
less struggle  through  the  jungle  and  so  are  the  men. 

45 


46  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

[Eagerly.] 
Far  beyond? 

COMOGRE 

Not  far  beyond;  just  beneath  the  cliff  lies  the  sea. 

GARABITO 

The  same  old  yarn,  the  same  old  lies ;  it  is  never 
far,  this  accursed  sea,  but  we  never  get  there. 

BALBOA 

[Enthusiastically.  ] 
I  thought  my  forces  spent  and  my  legs  unable  to 
carry  me  another  step,  but  this  news  is  like  wine  in 
my  veins  .  .  .  the  wine  of  success  that  banishes 
weakness  and  revives  strength.  I'll  not  sleep  till  my 
eyes  have  looked  upon  the  ocean;  I  must  have  fresh 
food  for  dreams  to-night. 

PIZARRO 

Take  heart,  Garabito ;  we  touch  our  goal. 

GARABITO 

I'll  take  heart  when  we  touch  our  gold. 

BALBOA 

The  gold  will  be  ours  in  good  time ;  for  myself  'tis 
glory  I  seek ;  then  will  gold  come  to  me. 

PIZARRO 

One  more  struggle  and  we  shall  be  at  the  top:  let 
us  be  off  then. 


BALBOA  47 

BALBOA 

Francisco,  old  friend,  begrudge  it  me  not,  but  I 
must  look  upon  the  great  South  Sea  first  .  .  .  and 
alone.  Stay  thou  here  with  the  others.  Comogre 
will  lead  me  to  the  top  and  when  I  have  looked  my  fill, 
thou  shalt  follow  me. 

PIZARRO 

The  right  of  the  discovery  is  thine. 

[Comogre  guides  Balboa  up  a  rocky  path  and 
they  disappear.  ] 

GARABITO 

[Sneeringly.'j 
Generous  —  our  captain,  heh  ?  We  may  toil  and 
fight  and  starve  in  this  wilderness  where  he  has  lost 
us,  but  when  it  comes  to  the  great  discovery  we  are 
not  worthy  to  share  it.  "  Domine  non  sum  dignus.,y 
(He  beats  his  breast.) 

pizarro 
You  are  hard  to  please,  Garabito. 

ARBOLANCHO 

But  a  moment  since  you  were  tired  out  and  could 
go  no  farther.     The  cliff  path  is  steep. 

BOTELLO 

Balboa  is  our  leader  and  the  discovery  is  by  right 
his.     Rest  your  bones  and  hold  your  tongue. 


48  BALBOA 

GARABITO 

He'll  be  the  same  when  we  come  to  divide  the  treas- 
ure,—  if  there  ever  is  any.  You'll  see  how  we  shall 
fare. 

PIZARRO 

Your  snarl  is  becoming  chronic. 

ARBOLANCHO 

But  not  every  barking  cur  bites.  (They  move  off. 
Garabito  approaches  Fulvia.) 

GARABITO 

Come  with  me. 

FULVIA 

No.  I  am  to  be  Spanish  lady  and  this  muchacho 
is  Vasco's  son. 

GARABITO 

[Sneeringly.'] 
You  little  fool !     You  a  Spanish  lady ;  you  are  an 
Indian  camp  woman  like  the  others;  your  brat  is  a 
bastard  half-breed. 

FULVIA 

[Serenely.] 
You  think  so?     When  I  go  with  Don  Vasco  to 
Spain,  then  you  will  see. 

GARABITO 

Vasco  will  never  take  you  to  Spain,  for  he  will 
never  go  himself.     If  ever  we  get  back  to  Darien, 


BALBOA  49 

Vasco  will  go  to  prison ;  then  you  will  belong  to  me 
again  ;  better  come  now. 

FULVIA 

You  think  so.      (She  begins  to  sing  to  the  baby.) 

GARABITO 

Drop  the  brat  and  listen  to  me. 
[Fulvia  sings  heedlessly.] 

GARABITO 

[Angrily.'] 
I'll  pay  you  out  for  this,  you  hussy.      (He  moves 
away.) 

[Comogre  emerges  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  fol- 
lowed by  Balboa,  who  staggers  wearily;  their 
figures  sharply  outlined  on  the  fiery  sky.] 

COMOGRE 

Behold,  captain,  the  great  South  Sea. 

BALBOA 

Thank  God  for  this  celestial  vision.      (He  falls  on 
his  knees  with  arms  outstretched  towards  the  ocean.) 

COMOGRE 

Is  it  not  as  I  told  you  ?     Comogre  never  lie. 

BALBOA 

The   Southern   Sea!   the   unknown   ocean!     Fran- 
cisco !     Comrades,  come  all  and  gladden  your  eyes 


50  BALBOA 

with  the  most  wondrous  sight  ever  yet  shown  to  man. 
[The  Spaniards  start  up  the  cliffs,  pulling  and 
pushing  one  another,  uttering  exclamations. 
Pizarro  is  first  to  join  Balboa.] 

pizarro 
Wonderful!  Waters  without  end.  Balboa!  A 
vast  uncharted  sea  that  reaches  away  into  the  very 
sunset;  no  keel  has  ploughed  its  waters  nor  ground 
the  sands  of  its  virgin  beaches.  It  shall  be  my  glory 
to  explore  its  splendours. 

[One  by  one  the  others  arrive,  all  exclaiming 
and  shouting.  From  the  dense  shrubbery 
near  where  Fulvia  sits,  her  brother,  Careta, 
stealthily  emerges;  he  is  a  young,  lithe  Indian, 
nearly  nuked,  wearing  an  eagle's  feather  in  his 
hair.~\ 

CARETA 

[Cautiously.'] 
Fulvia. 

fulvia 

[Rising.  ] 
How  come  you  here  ?     Go  'way. 

CARETA 

I  come  to  take  you  back,  back  to  our  people. 

FULVIA 

No. 


BALBOA  51 

CARETA 

You  stay  here,  then  you  die. 

FULVIA 

No,  'tis  here  I  live, 

CARETA 

All  great  chiefs :  Pacra,  Poncha  and  many  warriors 
are  now  ready  and  they  will  kill  these  foreign  devils. 

FULVIA 

When? 

CARETA 

To-night.  The  sun  now  sets  and,  behold,  it  sets  in 
blood,  for  before  the  moon  lights  this  spot,  every 
Christian  shall  die. 

FULVIA 

I  am  a  Christian;  I  will  not  go  back.  Tell  oui 
people  it  is  their  blood  the  earth  will  drink.  Bid 
them  beware,  for  these  Spaniards  are  as  gods.  For 
them  the  thunder  speaks  and  the  lightning  strikes. 
How  has  it  always  been  ? 

CARETA 

It  will  not  be  so  this  time,  for  our  people  are  ready 
and  have  arms.  Rather  than  be  slaves  under  these 
strangers,  we  will  all  die.     Come. 

FULVIA 

No. 


52  BALBOA 

CARETA 

You  no  longer  love  your  brother? 

FULVIA 

I  love  my  boy  and  his  father  Vasco. 

CARETA 

The  curse  of  our  gods  will  fall  upon  you,  for  you 
forget  your  people  and  turn  against  your  blood :  then 
you  die. 

[He  tries  to  seize  her,  but  she  eludes  him.  With 
a  menacing  gesture  he  disappears.  Balboa 
and  the  others  clamber  down,  all  in  high  spir- 
its, laughing  and  embracing  one  another.] 

BALBOA 

This  news  will  ring  through  all  the  Spains.  'Tis 
a  discovery  rivalling  those  of  Columbus  and  da 
Gama. 

PIZARRO 

He  too  was  called  Vasco.  Thou  art  not  named 
amiss,  'twould  seem. 

GARABITO 

Well,  I  never  heard  that  Columbus  got  much  by 
his  discoveries ;  he  spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  law 
courts  or  in  gaol  and  he  died  a  pauper. 

BALBOA 

Columbus  was  not  a  Spaniard.  Whatever  we  ask, 
we'll  get.     Leave  that  to  me. 


BALBOA  53 

GARABITO 

\  Aside  to  one.] 
He  may  be  trusted  to  ask  enough  for  himself,  our 
cheerful  captain;  but  what  shall  we  get? 

PIZARRO 

Now  then,  my  men,  to  supper.  How  is  it  with  the 
pot? 

BOTELLO 

For  God's  sake  don't  tell  us  what  is  in  that  stew! 
I  am  hungry  and  I  want  to  eat. 

ARBOLANCHO 

I  had  a  three  days'  appetite  before  we  saw  the 
great  ocean,  now  a  very  famine  is  crying  within  me. 
{They  go  to  the  cooking-pot ;  rations  are  served  out 
amidst  talking  and  laughter.  Fulvia  approaches 
Balboa.) 

FULVIA 

[Stealthily.'] 
Vasco. 

BALBOA 

Well,  little  one. 

FULVIA 

There  is  danger. 

BALBOA 

From  what?  Hast  thou  seen  a  serpent  or  heard 
a  panther's  cry? 


54  BALBOA 

FULVIA 

Nay,  but  this  place  is  now  all  around  full  of  In- 
dians. The  great  chiefs  Pacra  and  Poncha  with 
many,  many  warriors  gather  near  to  kill  you  this 
night  while  you  sleep. 

BALBOA 

Who  told  you  this? 

FULVIA 

My  brother  Careta. 

BALBOA 

When?     Where? 

FULVIA 

Now,  here. 

BALBOA 

Where  is  he? 

FULVIA 

Gone.  Careta,  him  love  me  and  come  to  take  me 
to  safe  place  because  our  people  come  this  night  to 
kill  all  Christians.  Many,  many  —  like  leaves  of  the 
forest,  and  you  so  few. 

BALBOA 

And  you  did  not  go  to  your  people? 

FULVIA 

No.     You  are  my  people  now.     This  Chachito  my 


BALBOA  55 

son ;  him  Spanish  baby  and  mother  now  Spanish  lady, 
so  she  stay  with  him  and  Vasco.  (He  embraces 
her.) 

BALBOA 

You  are  made  of  the  right  stuff,  Fulvia.  Now  we 
must  make  ready  for  our  unexpected  visitors.  (He 
calls  Pizarro.)  Well,  Francisco,  what  sayest  thou 
of  this  day's  work?     Sawst  thou  ever  a  fairer  sea? 

PIZARRO 

Ah,  'twas  a  wondrous,  stirring  vision. 

BALBOA 

And  I  have  stirring  news  .  .  .  news  to  make  us 
stir. 

pizarro 
What  news  is  that,  Vasco? 

BALBOA 

The  Indians  are  upon  us. 

PIZARRO 

Sacramento!     Sayest  thou  then  so? 

BALBOA 

Hush!     Shall  we  tell  the  others? 

PIZARRO 

Needs  must.     But  the  men  are  played  out. 

[Balboa  signs  to  Arbolancho,  Garabito,  and 


56  BALBOA 

Botello  to  join  him  and  Pizarro  ;  they  ad- 
vance.] 

ARBOLANCHO 

What  is  moving,  captain? 

BALBOA 

Hush!     I  must  speak  with  you. 

BOTELLO 

I  thought  we  were  called  to  supper. 

GARABITO 

I'll  give  better  counsel  on  a  full  stomach  than  on 
an  empty  one. 

BALBOA 

The  moment  is  serious.  'Tis  not  to  give  you 
counsel  or  to  take  yours,  but  to  warn  you,  that  I  call 
you.  We  are  surrounded  by  Indian  tribes,  led  by 
the  chiefs  Pacra  and  Poncha;  they  are  now  closing 
around  us.  (Exclamations  quickly  stifled.)  Hush! 
don't  alarm  the  men,  poor  devils  let  them  eat  a  bite. 

GARABITO 

Much  good  may  that  stinking  stew  of  mangy  cur 
and  palm  shoots  do  them;  they  are  fagged  to  death 
and  there  is  no  fight  in  them. 

BALBOA 

There  is  always  fight  in  a  Spaniard,  Garabito. 


BALBOA  57 

ARBOLANCHO 

Whence  have  you  this  news,  captain? 

BALBOA 

Fulvia's  brother  has  been  here  to  carry  her  to  a 
place  of  safety  during  the  attack. 

PIZARRO 

Well,  we  must  do  the  attacking. 

BALBOA 

Right,  Francisco ;  we  must  strike  first  and  strike 
hard.     We  fight  or  we  die. 

GARABITO 

It  will  be  both. 

BOTELLO 

Perhaps  you  will  be  safer  with  the  women. 

BALBOA 

This  is  no  time  for  wrangling,  Botello.  We  know 
Garabito  for  a  grumbler,  but  no  one  has  ever  seen 
him  shirk.  Now  get  the  men  in  order,  for  fight  we 
must. 

PIZARRO 

Without  quarter. 

BALBOA 

We'll  ask  none  nor  give  any.  'Tis  the  Indian 
fashion. 

[They    separate   amongst    the   men:    instantly 


58  BALBOA 

great  activity  prevails:  men  take  their  arms, 
dogs  are  put  mto  their  armour:  different 
groups,  each  with  a  leader,  are  formed  ready 
to  march.  Pizarro  approaches  Balboa, 
who  holds  his  great  dog,  Leoncmo,  fully  ca~ 
parisoned,  in  leash.~\ 

PIZARRO 

God  grant  this  fight  may  be  quickly  over.  Our 
fellows  are  in  a  desperate  plight :  they  won't  hold  out 
long. 

BALBOA 

If  it  is  to  be  our  last,  then  our  bones  will  bleach 
on  this  new-found  strand.  Is  yon  hill  my  Pisgah 
to  which  I  was  led  to  view  the  promised  ocean?  No, 
Francisco,  I  can't  believe  it.  God  has  led  us  so  far 
for  inscrutable  purposes  of  His  own.  Are  we  not 
crusaders  as  well  as  soldiers?  Upon  every  foot  of 
land  we  win  for  Spain,  we  plant  the  cross  of  Christ. 
That  southern  ocean  shall  bear  the  message  of  sal- 
vation in  Spanish  ships  to  unknown  races  that  people 
its  virgin  shores.  Ah,  no,  Francisco,  God  has  not 
led  us  thus  far  to  quench  now  the  flame  of  hope  in 
the  bitter  waters  of  disappointment.  (Turning  to 
the  men.)  Comrades,  one  last  fight  before  we  de- 
scend to  the  shores  of  the  ocean  I  have  claimed  for 
Spain.  We  fight  under  a  holy  and  glorious  stand- 
ard.    Keep  well  together  and  let  there  be  no  strag- 


BALBOA  59 

gling.  Obey  your  leaders.  Make  every  shot  tell 
and  send  every  thrust  home.  Victory  hovers  above 
us,  ready  to  descend  once  more  upon  our  consecrated 
banner.  Now  forward.  For  God,  St.  James  and 
Spain ! 

[Subdued  repetition  from  the  men:  all  march 

cautiously  off,  leaving  the  Indian  women  and 

porters  behind.] 


curtain 


SCENE  III 

While  the  curtain  remains  down  for  a  few  minutes, 
sounds  of  firing,  Indian  war  cries,  Spanish  shouts, 
bugle  notes  and  the  tumult  of  battle  are  heard. 
The  curtain  rises  on  the  same  scene.  The  stage 
is  strewn  with  dead  bodies,  some  Spaniards  but 
mostly  Indians.  Other  Spaniards  are  engaged  m 
binding  their  wounds:  the  Indian  women  carrying 
water  and  assisting  them.  A  number  of  Indian 
prisoners  are  led  m  bound,  amongst  them  the  wiz- 
ard Tubanama,  an  aged  man  with  flowing  hair 
and  beard,  wild  of  aspect  and  fantastically  hung 
with  amulets,  etc.  Spaniards  hustle  and  threaten 
the  prisoners. 

PIZARRO 

Tie  up  these  devils.     We'll  give  them  a  taste  of 
fire. 

[Half  a  dozen  Indians  are  bound  to  small  trees 
near  together:  as  Tubanama  is  led  forward 
the  Indians  shrink  away  from  him:  he  looks 
fixedly  at  Fulvia.] 

fulvia 

[To  Balboa.] 

Vasco,  not  him.      (Indicating  Tubanama.) 
60 


BALBOA  61 

BALBOA 

Why  not,  little  one? 

FULVIA 

Him  very  old,  very  wise  man.  Him  knows  all 
things  and  see  everything.     Not  die,  not  die. 

BALBOA 

He  should  know  better  than  to  attack  Spaniards. 
Die  he  must. 

FULVIA 

No,  no !  He  work  you  mischief  with  his  great 
power,  for  he  know  all  secrets  and  talk  with  devils. 
Dead  men  come  when  he  calls  and  him  see  the  end 
of  the  world. 

PIZARRO 

Ho,  ho!  A  prophet  is  he?  Well,  let  him  now 
prophesy. 

FULVIA 

Oh,  I  very  much  afraid! 

[Tubanama  has  been  tied  to  a  tree  with  the 
others  and  wood  piled  high  around  all  of 
them:  torches  are  applied  and  volumes  of 
smoke  mount,  almost  concealing  them.  Tu- 
banama 's  head  is  always  visible.  Consterna- 
tion amongst  the  Indians.] 

BOTELLO 

Speak  up,  old  man,  and  tell  us  what  you  see  in  the 
future. 


62  BALBOA 

ARBOLANCHO 

Tell  us  our  fortunes. 

TUBANAMA 

I  see  the  end  of  all  Spaniards  in  this  land.   .  .  . 
{Laughter  and  cries  of  derision  from  the  Spaniards.) 

PIZARRO 

Finished  up  by  your  people,  heh? 

TUBANAMA 

My  people's  day  is  done.  Your  people's  day  be 
gins,  but  as  we  end  so  shall  you.  From  out  of  the 
far  North,  from  the  great  lands  of  ice  and  snow 
whence  came  our  forefathers,  shall  come  a  race  of 
white-faced  conquerors.  In  great  canoes  they  will 
come  over  the  waters.  Your  canoes  shall  be  as  nut- 
shells. Vast  hosts  will  pour  in  upon  you  and  possess 
your  land  and  your  treasures.  You  shall  shrivel 
and  perish  before  their  oncoming  as  does  the  dry 
grass  before  the  summer's  heat.  I  hear  their  march- 
ing feet.  Hark!  {A  distant  sound  of  marchmg  is 
heard. ) 

SPANIARDS 

'Tis  the  sea.     'Tis  the  wind. 

TUBANAMA 

Hark!      {The  Spaniards  listen  but  hear  nothing: 
they  laugh  derisively. )      I  hear  their  music.     Hark  ! 


BALBOA  63 

(A  faint,  far  away  sound  of  "  The  Star  Spangled 
Banner."  The  Spaniards  listen  again,  but  hear 
nothing  and  mock  him.) 

SPANIARDS 

What  music  dost  thou  hear? 

TUBANAMA 

The  war  music  of  a  conquering  host  —  a  song  of 
victory.     I  see  their  colours. 

PIZARRO 

His  mind  is  going.     Dying  men  see  wild  visions. 

ARBOIANCHO 

Where  are  their  colours? 

TUBANAMA 

They  paint  the  heavens  from  ocean  to  ocean. 
Look!  (Upon  the  darkening  evening  sky,  the  stars 
and  stripes  of  the  American  flag  are  seen  faintly 
shimmering.     The  Spaniards  stare  but  see  nothing.) 

SPANIARDS 

The  sky  is  red.  The  sky  is  white.  The  sky  is 
blue. 

[The  music  dies  away  and  the  colours  slowly 
fade.     The  flames  rise  about  the  prisoners.] 

TUBANAMA 

Aye,  'tis  red,  'tis  white,  'tis  blue :  your  conquerors' 
colours. 


64  BALBOA 

PIZARRO 

Stop  his  raving.     He  sees  and  hears  too  much. 

TUBANAMA 

I  see  the  day  of  vengeance  for  my  people.  I  see 
the  downfall  of  the  Spaniards'  power. 

ARBOLANCHO 

When? 

TUBANAMA 

When  the  waters  meet.  {Spaniard  laugh,  shout- 
ing, "  when,  when?  ")  When  the  oceans  join  and 
the  South  Sea  is  linked  with  the  North. 

BOTELLO 

Enough  of  this  foolery ;  stir  up  the  fires. 

BALBOA 

Let  the  madman  rave.  His  hour  is  at  hand.  Fall 
in  now,  we  march  to  the  sea  shore  and  there  we'll 
sleep.  {Spaniards  laugh  and  shout:  "  When  the 
waters  meet!  when  the  oceans  join!  "  All  fall  into 
line;  the  wounded  are  carried  or  helped  along.  The 
Indians  carry  the  baggage.  Balboa  and  the  lead- 
ers in  advance,  the  march  begins.  Fulvia  and  the 
women  are  last  of  all.  Fulvia  is  about  to  mount 
her  mule,  carrying  her  baby,  when  Tubanama,  to 
whom  her  brother  Careta  has  signalled  from  the 
shrubbery,  calls  her  back.  She  comes  reluctantly 
and    fearfully,    approaching    hvm.     Careta    rushes 


BALBOA  65 

from  his  hiding  place,  snatches  the  baby  and  throws 
it  into  the  flames  at  Tubanama's  feet:  stifling  Ful- 
via,  he  carries  her  off  into  the  forest:  the  Indian 
women  shriek  and  scatter.     Tubanama  laughs.) 


CURTAIN 


SCENE  IV 

Beach  of  the  Pacific;  a  strand  of  golden  sand:  a 
stretch  of  glittering,  blue  ocean,  dotted  with  islands 
covered  with  graceful  palms  and  tropical  growth: 
the  scene  is  one  of  idyllic  beauty,  lighted  by  the 
newly  risen  sun.  A  bugle  blast  without,  after 
which  Balboa  and  twenty-six  of  his  troop  enter: 
all  gaze  in  silence,  entranced,  upon  the  view. 

BALBOA 

Comrades,  I  call  you  now  to  witness  the  act  by 
which  I  take  possession  of  this  ocean  for  Spain. 

OMNES 

Long  live  the  King. 

BALBOA 

[To  notary.] 
Valderrabailo,  record  the  act.  Bring  me  my  arms 
and  the  standard.  {He  is  clothed  in  full  armour, 
with  helmet;  drawn  sword  in  his  right  hand  and  the 
flag  on  which  is  painted  a  Madonna  and,  Child  and  the 
royal  arms  of  Spain,  in  his  left.  He  advances  knee 
deep  into  the  water;  dipping  his  hand,  he  sprinkles 
himself  and  makes  the  sign  of  the  cross.     Pizarro, 

66 


BALBOA  67 

Arbomncho  and  Botello  follow  him.     The  notary 
has  his  paper  and  quill  ready  and  begins  writing.) 

BALBOA 

Long  live  the  high  and  puissant  sovereigns  Dona 
Juana,  Queen  of  Castile  and  Don  Fernando,  King  of 
Aragon  and  Leon,  in  whose  names  I  this  day  take 
real,  corporal  and  actual  possession  for  the  royal 
crown  of  Castile  of  these  seas,  coasts  and  isles  of  the 
South,  together  with  all  that  therefrom  depends, 
whether  kingdoms,  provinces  or  cities.  If  any  other 
sovereign  or  captain  of  whatsoever  race  or  religion 
shall  pretend  to  ownership  or  jurisdiction  within 
these  realms  of  sea  and  land,  I  stand  ready  to  defend 
them  in  the  name  of  the  sovereigns  of  Castile,  present 
and  future.  Let  none  dare  to  dispute  the  empire  of 
Spain  over  these  Indies,  mainland  and  islands  lying 
within  or  without  the  tropics  of  Cancer  and  Capri- 
corn, now  and  forever  until  the  end  of  the  world. 
Amen. 

OMNES 

Long  live  the  King! 

pizarro 
For  God,  St.  James  and  Spain. 

[Continued  shouts  of  enthusiasm.] 

BALBOA 

[Drinks  of  the  water.] 
Let    this    fair    and   untroubled    ocean    be    forever 


68  BALBOA 

known  as  the  Pacific,  and  this  elysian  gulf  I  dedicate 
to  the  honour  of  the  Prince  of  the  heavenly  hosts  .  .  . 
St.  Michael. 

OMNES 

St.  Michael  forever ! 

[Some  of  the  men  have  meanwhile  erected  a  rude 
cross  of  giant  size  on  the  shore;  Balboa  ap- 
proaches it;  all  kneel  and  intone  Te  Deum 
Laudamus.~\ 


CURTAIN 


SCENE  V 

Same  interior  of  Balboa's  house  in  Darien  as  Scene  I. 
Balboa,  Pizarro  and  Arguello. 

BALBOA 

[Seriously.  ] 
She  disappeared  the  night  we  burned  the  Indian 
wizard,  Tubanama.     And  since  that  hour  she  has  not 
been  seen;  poor  little  Fulvia  and  her  boy  with  the 
sunshine  hair. 

ARGUELLO 

Hither  she  did  not  return,  else  should  I  have  seen 
her.     I  have  never  left  Darien. 

PIZARRO 

Well,  Vasco,  now  that  she  is  gone,  I  may  tell  thee, 
I  thought  her  looks  a  good  deal  overpraised;  there 
are  prettier  girls  than  Fulvia  in  Darien;  cheer  up 
and  take  thy  choice. 

BALBOA 

'Tis  not  that.     The  child  loved  me  and  after  all 
her  boy  was  mine.     I  wonder  where  and  how  she  went. 
[Enter  Botello.] 


70  BALBOA 

BOTELLO 

Captain,  the  look-out  reports  vessels  are  doubling 
the  cape. 

BALBOA 

What  flag  do  they  fly? 

BOTELLO 

The  colours  of  Castile  and  Aragon. 

t  PIZARRO 

How  many  of  them? 

BOTELLO 

In  all,  seven  are  now  in  sight. 

ARGUELLO 

By  the  mass  'tis  the  governor's  fleet. 
[A  cannon  shot  is  heard.] 
[Enter  Arbolancho.] 

omnes 
The  gun! 

ARBOLANCHO 

Two  vessels  have  cast  anchor,  and  from  one  a  skiff 
is  pulling  shorewards. 

BALBOA 

Pedrarias  for  sure.     None  other  would  come  with 
such  a  fleet.     Arbolancho,  return  to  the  shore  and 
welcome  the  landing  party  in  my  name.      I  follow. 
[Exit  Arbolancho.] 


BALBOA  71 

PIZARRO 

The  fleet  is  more  numerous  than  I  expected. 

BALBOA 

Zamudio  wrote  fifteen  hundred  men :  'tis  well  we  are 
back  from  Panama  to  meet  them. 

ARGUELLO 

My  mind  is  not  at  rest:  the  coming  of  Pedrarias 
bodes  ill. 

PIZARRO 

We  need  not  receive  him.     I  am  ready  for  a  fight. 

BALBOA 

Wrath  of  God,  what  art  thou  saying,  Francisco? 
The  man  comes  with  the  King's  commission. 

PIZARRO 

We  don't  need  to  know  that  .  .  .  until  it's  too 
late.  I  say  fire  on  him.  Keep  him  off  till  the  news 
of  your  discovery  reaches  Spain.  When  King  Fer- 
dinand hears  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  its  countless 
rich  islands  added  to  his  realm,  he'll  recall  Pedrarias 
and  make  thee  governor  of  these  parts.  That  is  our 
only  salvation. 

ARGUELLO 

Pizarro  is  right,  Balboa,  the  King  will  favour  the 
successful,  but  in  God's  name,  no  violence,  Francisco. 
We  have  already  gone  far,  and  news  of  our  doings 


72  BALBOA 

has  somehow  reached  Santo  Domingo  where  they  are 
calling  us  pirates  and  outlaws. 

PIZARRO 

Yes,  that  news  was  sent  by  Garabito. 

BALBOA 

Dost  thou  know  this? 

PIZARRO 

By  no  proof  in  law,  but  I  have  suspicions.  But  he 
may  rot  for  his  pains.     Let  us  drive  off  Pedrarias. 

BALBOA 

Thou  wouldst  counsel  me  to  fire  on  the  royal  flag 
of  Spain?     'Twere  treason  and  would  cost  my  head. 

PIZARRO 

All  our  heads  are  staked.  We  must  defend  them 
as  we  can.     I  don't  trust  that  Pedrarias. 

ARGUELLO 

What  we  most  need  is  time.  The  law's  delays 
are  a  proverb ;  meanwhile  the  news  of  Balboa's  great 
achievement  will  reach  the  King. 

BALBOA 

[Has  meanwhile  put  on  sash,  sword,  plumed  hat 
and  gloves.'] 
I  go  to  greet  the  King's  governor  for  Darien. 


BALBOA  73 

PIZARRO 

Vasco,  thou  art  going  to  meet  thy  ruin.  In  this 
hour  thy  sun  of  glory  sets.  {He  draws  his  sword.) 
Give  the  command,  and  Pedrarias  and  his  men  will  be 
met  with  steel. 

BALBOA 

Sheathe  and  follow  me,  Pizarro ;  I  prize  more  thy 
friendship  than  thy  counsel. 

[They  go  out  the  door,  but  are  met  at  once  by 
Ayora,  captain  of  Pedrarias'  guard:  a  can- 
non shot  announces  the  governor's  arrival, 
sounds  of  distant  shouting  are  heard,  they  all 
re-enter  the  room.] 

AYORA 

I  am  Juan  Ayora,  lieutenant  of  the  royal  gover- 
nor's fleet.     His  Excellency  has  landed. 
[All  salute.] 

BALBOA 

Sir,  you  are  welcome.  We  were  hastening  to  meet 
His  Excellency. 

AYORA 

His  lady,  Dona  Isabel,  accompanies  him. 

BALBOA 

The  first  Spanish  lady  of  gentle  birth  to  tread 
this  soil.     Our  welcome  will  be  hearty,  but  I  fear  that 


74  BALBOA 

all  else  will  be  wanting  for  so  lofty  a  dame.      (Drum 
beat  and  noise  of  approaching  crowd.) 
[Enter  Arbolancho.] 

ARBOLANCHO 

The  governor  is  here. 

[Enter  Pedrarias,  leading  Dona  Isabel  and 
followed  by  numerous  suite  of  richly-dressed 
nobles,  including  Quevedo,  bishop  of  Darien, 
and  one  or  two  ladies  attending  Dona  Isabel. 
The  soldiers  of  Balboa  crowd  into  the  room; 
they  are  roughly  dressed  and  make  a  sharp 
contrast  to  the  Spanish  courtiers;  the  two 
handsome  leather  chairs  are  quickly  placed 
for  Pedrarias  and  Isabel,  Balboa  advanc- 
ing to  meet  them.'] 

BALBOA 

[Saluting.] 

Don  Pedrarias,  I  give  you  welcome  in  the  name 
of  this  humble  colony.  (He  kisses  Dona  Isabel's 
hand. ) 

DONA    ISABEL 

[Aside  to  one  of  her  ladies.] 
This  man  has  manners.     I  expected  to  see  a  pirate, 
but  he  looks  like  a  prince. 

PEDRARIAS 

The  King  —  whom  God  guard  —  has  given  me  the 


BALBOA  75 

governorship  of  this  mainland.      (He  signs  to  one  of 
his  suite.)      Read  the  royal  commission. 

BALBOA 

Our  most  loyal  obedience  goes  in  advance  to  greet 
and  to  serve  you.  The  reading  of  the  royal  commis- 
sion, for  our  part,  may  wait  your  convenience. 

PEDRARIAS 

As  you  please.  (To  notary.)  Let  the  King's 
commission  be  publicly  read  in  the  plaza  and  a  copy 
thereof  affixed  to  the  church  door. 

1st  courtier 
[To  companion.] 
Well,  this  is   all  very   different  from  what  I  ex- 
pected to  see. 

2nd  courtier 
No  sign  of  gold  or  pearls.     And  this  fellow,  Bal- 
boa, I  thought  he  lived  in  luxury  and  was  served  by 
a  troop  of  ravishing  Indian  damsels. 

1st  courtier 
He  is  a  fine  figure  of  a  man. 

2nd  courtier 
So  so,  I  don't  like  red  hair,  and  his  beard  is  not  in 
the  fashion. 

1st  courtier 
The  fashion  of  Darien,  perhaps.      (They  laugh.) 


76  BALBOA 

[Balboa,  Pizarro  and  others  have  meantime 
looked  at  the  commission,  the  seal  and  ngnar 
ture.  Balboa  kneels  and  touches  his  fore- 
head with  the  commission;  then  kisses  it.] 

BALBOA 

This  royal  writing  we  accept  as  law  and  binding 
on  our  conscience.  Gentlemen,  Their  Grace's  Gov- 
ernor for  Darien.     Long  live  the  King ! 

OMNES 

Long  live  the  King!  {All  take  the  oath  of  al- 
legiance. ) 

ARGUELLO 

[To  Pizarro.] 
Vasco  is  signing  his  abdication. 

PIZARRO 

May  it  not  prove  his  death  warrant ! 

BALBOA 

I  fear  Your  Excellency  will  find  life  rough  enough 
in  Darien,  and  most  of  all  Her  Excellency. 

DONA    ISABEL 

I  vow  I  like  the  place  well  enough  thus  far,  but  it 
is  not  as  I  thought  to  find  it. 

quevedo 
It  seems  hardly  a  colony  of  sufficient  importance 
for  one  of  Don  Pedrarias'  merits. 


BALBOA  77 

PIZARRO 

A  week  ago  'twas  a  very  pest  hole  of  no  importance, 
but  Balboa  has  just  recently  changed  all  that. 
Darien  will  now  become  the  centre  of  Spain's  power 
overseas.  (Pedrarias'  people  all  exclaim  eagerly 
and  crowd  forward. ) 

PEDRARIAS 

[Interested.] 

Say  you  then  so?     Has  more  gold  been  found? 

DONA    ISABEL 

Or  pearls?     I  am  fond  of  pearls. 

QUEVEDO 

Or  has  the  long-sought-for  strait  been  discovered? 

PIZARRO 

No,  none  of  these. 

PEDRARIAS 

Well  what  has  been  found? 

PIZARRO 

Water. 

PEDRARIAS 

[To  Balboa.] 
Your  companion  seems  to  play  the  wit.     What  is 
the  water  he  prates  of? 

BALBOA 

The  long-desired  great  South  Sea.     The  ocean,  of 


78  BALBOA 

whose  very  existence  many  were  sceptical,  lies  beyond 
the  mountain  ridge  to  the  south. 

PEDRARIAS 

Such  reports  are  often  spread ;  'tis  not  well  to  be 
too  credulous. 

BALBOA 

My  lord,  two  months  ago,  this  colony  was  on  star- 
vation rations,  without  hope  of  relief,  for  my  appeal 
to  the  King  remained  unanswered  and  we  waited  in 
vain.  The  canker  of  idleness  was  eating  the  manhood 
out  of  us  and  despair  settled  stiflingly  upon  all.  To 
save  the  men's  lives,  I  organised  an  expedition  for 
the  discovery  of  the  South  Sea,  with  a  friendly  chief, 
Comogre,  as  our  guide. 

PEDRARIAS 

Without  the  royal  commission? 

BALBOA 

I  had  no  choice  —  'twas  time  to  act  or  to  die. 

PEDRARIAS 

A  treasonable  proceeding.  Death  is  preferable 
to  treason. 

BALBOA 

We  were  without  news  from  Zamudio  who  had  gone 
months  before  to  report  to  the  King  and  solicit  the 
royal   warrant   and   the   necessary   supplies   for   the 


BALBOA  79 

expedition.     If  I  acted  without  the  royal  warrant,  I 
also  did  so  without  drawing  on  the  royal  treasury. 

QUEVEDO 

That  will  please  King  Ferdinand. 

PEDRARIAS 

You  put  yourself  outside  the  law.  At  that  time, 
I  was  royal  governor  of  Darien.  I  alone  possessed 
authority  to  make  discoveries. 

BALBOA 

The  results  may  serve  to  justify  my  precipitation. 
I  have  added  a  boundless  ocean  to  the  Spanish  do- 
minions.    Fair  islands  rich  in  spices  and  pearls. 

COURTIERS 

[Eagerly.] 
Pearls  !     And  gold  ? 

BALBOA 

Aye,  the  rivers  run  with  gold.  Moreover,  I  have 
brought  twenty  chieftains  into  subjection  to  the 
Crown,  all  of  whom  pay  tribute  in  gold,  pearls  and 
foodstuffs  for  Spanish  vessels  and  our  colonists. 

QUEVEDO 

Magnificent ! 

PEDRARIAS 

But  irregular ! 


80  BALBOA 

DONA    ISABEL 

I  congratulate  you,  sir  conqueror. 

PEDRARIAS 

Don't  be  over-hasty,  my  lady. 

BALBOA 

The  revenue  we  now  receive  is  as  nothing  to  what 
will  later  pour  in.  We  have  hardly  scratched  the 
surface  of  our  treasure-field.  That  ocean  is  the 
highway  to  Cathay  and  the  eastern  Indies,  whence 
the  Portugals  draw  vast  wealth  to  the  detriment  of 
the  Spanish  power. 

QUEVEDO 

Vasco  da  Gama  reached  those  lands  by  sailing 
around  Africa  to  the  east. 

PIZARRO 

And  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa  reaches  them  by  a 
shorter  way  across  the  isthmus  of  Darien  to  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean. 

PEDRARIAS 

Pacific  Ocean  ?     And  who  calls  it  thus,  and  why  ? 

BALBOA 

Thus  did  I  name  the  south  sea,  because  its  waters 
are  calm  and  untroubled,  not  like  our  turbulent  At- 
lantic. 


BALBOA  81 

ARGUELLO 

It  remains  to  discover  the  strait  uniting  the  two 
oceans,  through  which  ships  may  sail  from  one  to  the 
other. 

QUEVEDO 

'Tis  not  certain  that  God  has  made  one. 
\ 

BALBOA 

Then  must  man  make  it. 

QUEVEDO 

Impossible ! 

BALBOA 

'Twere  in  fact  a  great  undertaking,  but  the  isth- 
mus is  narrow  and  I  think  it  could  be  done.  Per- 
haps in  some  future  day  men  will  cut  that  strait 
through  which  the  two  oceans  will  mingle  their  waters. 

QUEVEDO 

What  God  has  put  asunder  let  not  man  join  to- 
gether. 

PEDRABIAS 

This  smacks  of  presumption,  nor  are  we  now  en- 
gaged with  prophecies  of  what  may  or  may  not  be 
done  in  future  ages.  Senor  Balboa,  complaints  have 
been  lodged  against  you,  into  which  I  am  charged  by 
the  King  and  the  royal  India  Council  to  inquire. 


82  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

I  stand  ready  to  answer  for  my  conduct.  My 
conscience  is  clear  of  any  fault  towards  Their  Graces. 

PEDRARIAS 

So  much  the  better  for  you.  Meanwhile  it  is  my 
duty  to  place  you  under  arrest. 

[Exclamations  and  indignation.  Some  of  the 
colonists  draw  their  swords:  courtiers  do  like- 
wise. ] 

PEDRARIAS 

What  do  I  see?  Violence  .  .  .  rebellion  against 
a  royal  governor?  This  bears  out  the  evil  reports 
that  reach  Spain  concerning  this  colony. 

QUEVEDO 

[Intervening.  ] 
In  God's  name,  gentlemen,  put  up  your  swords. 
Would  you  do  fratricide? 

BALBOA 

[To  his  men.'] 
Sheathe  your  swords.      (To  Pedrarias.)     I  sur- 
render mine  to  Your  Excellency.      (Gives  his  sword.) 

PEDRARIAS 

Who  is  sheriff  of  this  colony? 

pizarro 
I  hold  the  office. 


BALBOA  83 


PEDR  ARIAS 

Arrest  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa. 


PIZARRO 

Per  Dios  . 

/ 

BALBOA 

Sheriff,  do 

your  duty. 

PIZARRO 

I'll  resign  my  office  first. 

PEDRARIAS 

Disobedience!     Cuerpo  de  Dios! 

BALBOA 

Do  first  thy  duty  and  afterwards  with  thy  office 
what  thou  willst. 

PEDRARIAS 

Strange  ideas  of  discipline  seem  to  obtain  here! 
The  sheriff  flouts  the  governor  and  the  prisoner  or- 
ders his  own  arrest.  But  I'll  soon  change  all  that. 
Let  the  room  be  cleared.  (Ayora  moves  Balboa's 
men  towards  the  door;  they  go  reluctantly,  grum- 
bling audibly.) 
i 

PEDRARIAS 

Captain  Ayora,  furnish  a  guard,  and  you,  sir 
sheriff,  conduct  your  prisoner  to  gaol.  I  suppose 
there  is  a  gaol,  or  are  we  here  without  the  resources 


84  BALBOA 

of  civilisation?      (Ayora  tells  off  four  armed  men. 
Pizarro  awkwardly  effects  the  arrest  of  Balboa.) 

DONA    ISABEL 

[To  Pedrarias.] 
Don  Pedro,  is  this  necessary? 

QUEVEDO 

[To  Pedrarias.] 
Is  not  Your  Excellency  needlessly  severe?     Senor 
Balboa  may  be  trusted  to  keep  within  his  own  doors 
on  his  parole. 

PEDRARIAS 

And  foment  rebellion  in  the  colony. 

DONA    ISABEL 

Nay,  Don  Pedro,  the  bishop  is  right.  'Twas  Don 
Vasco  who  rebuked  the  rebellious  ones. 

PEDRARIAS 

Meddle  not  in  this  affair.  And  you,  my  lord 
bishop,  were  sent  hither  to  convert  the  Indians,  not 
to  hamper  the  royal  officials  in  their  duty.  Keep  to 
your  spiritualities  and  don't  encroach  on  my  tem- 
poralities. I  am  governor  here,  and  I'll  have  no  dic- 
tation. 

BALBOA 

I  claim  the  privilege  of  counsel  and  time  to  pre- 
pare my  defence  when  the  charges  on  which  I  am  ar- 
rested shall  be  made  known  to  me. 


BALBOA  85 

ARGUELLO 

[Aside  to  Pizarro.] 
This  governor  begins  well. 

PEDRARIAS 

The  law  will  take  its  course. 

BALBOA 

I  ask  no  more  than  justice. 

PEDRARIAS 

It  is  my  mission  to  execute  justice.     Sheriff,  re- 
move the  prisoner. 

[Exeunt  Balboa,  Pizarro,  Ayora,  etc.'] 


CURTAIN 


SCENE  VI 

The  prison  at  Ada.  A  bare  squalid  room,  with  one 
heavily  barred  window  high  up  in  the  wall:  one  low 
heavy  door,  centre-back;  the  light  is  dim  and 
sombre;  furniture  sparse  and  rude.  Balboa,  in 
chains,  is  seated  on  a  wooden  bench. 

Enter  Ayora.  He  leaves  the  door  ajar.  Fulvia 
creeps  stealthily  in  unobserved  and  conceals  her- 
self: she  is  in  rags,  pale,  haggard  and  a  very  pic- 
ture of  misery. 

AYORA 


Don  Vasco. 
Who  calls  me? 
Ajora. 
My  gaoler. 


BALBOA 


AYORA 


BALBOA 


AYORA 

Against  my  will,  I  do  assure  you:  but  I  must  do 
my  duty. 

BALBOA 

I  have  not  complained;  nor  do  I  blame  any  man 
who  does  his  duty. 

86 


BALBOA  87 

AYORA 

Believe  me,  I  would  be  your  friend. 

BALBOA 

I  reject  no  man's  friendship,  but  I  have  no  proof 
of  yours. 

AYORA 

I  am  here  to  give  you  one.  The  bishop,  Quevedo, 
who  leaves  Acla  to-day  to  sail  for  Spain  from  Darien, 
would  speak  with  you  before  he  goes. 

BALBOA 

[Starting  kp.] 
Well,  I  would  fain  see  the  bishop. 

AYORA 

'Tis  contrary  to  orders,  but  I'll  bring  him  to  you. 
[Exit  Ayora.] 
[Fulvia  creeps  forward  close  to  Balboa.] 

fulvia 
[Weakly.] 
Don  Vasco. 

BALBOA 

Fulvia ! 

FULVIA 

No,  do  not  look.  Fulvia  is  no  longer  Spanish 
lady ;  no  more  beautiful. 


88  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

[Embracing  Iter.] 
How  comest  thou  hither?     Poor  wretched  child! 

fulvia 
I  walk  through  the  forest  long,  long  way  from  my 
father's  house ;  no  food  and  always  afraid,  oh  Vasco ! 
so  much  afraid. 

BALBOA 

[Examining  her.] 
What  have  they  done  to  thee,  poor  child? 

FULVIA 

Careta,  my  brother,  he  catch  me  and  take  me  back. 
There  they  beat  me  and  make  me  a  slave.  Oh,  Vasco, 
I  no  live  without  you.  • 

BALBOA 

And  the  baby  Chachito,  where  is  he? 

FULVIA 

Dead.  Careta  kill  him :  throw  him  in  the  fire  where 
Tubanama  burn. 

BALBOA 

The  brutes.  (Sounds  of  the  door  opening.) 
Ayora  is  returning;  here  conceal  thyself.  (She  lies 
under  Balboa's  bed  cover.) 

[Enter  Ayora,  followed  by  Quevedo.] 


BALBOA  89 

AYORA 

I  pray  you,  my  lord,  be  brief.  Were  we  discovered 
I  should  take  Don  Vasco's  place. 

QUEVEDO 

A  few  short  minutes  suffice  for  what  I  have  to  say. 

AYORA 

I'll  guard  the  door. 

[Exit  Ayora,  closing  the  door.~\ 

QUEVEDO 

Don  Vasco,  I  never  thought  to  see  you  thus!  I 
sail  for  Spain  and  shall  carry  with  me  your  papers 
and  the  appeal  Pizarro  has  addressed  to  the  King. 

BALBOA 

I  thank  you,  my  lord. 

QUEVEDO 

The  governor  is  inexorable.  Deaf  to  reason  and 
to  prayers.     Your  sentence  has  been  pronounced. 

BALBOA 

'Twas  drawn  up  before  my  trial  began. 

QUEVEDO 

You  know  it  then? 

BALBOA 

No  one  has  announced  it  to  me,  but  I  have  known 
it  from  the  beginning. 


90  BALBOA 

QUEVEDO 

I  will  plead  your  cause  before  the  King  and  the 
India  Council.  You  must  use  jour  right  of  appeal. 
Gain  time,  and  meanwhile  the  news  of  your  great  dis- 
covery will  have  reached  Spain.  The  King  will  par- 
don .   .   .  nay,  he  will  reward  you. 

BALBOA 

The  governor  will  receive  no  appeal. 

QUEVEDO 

In  law  he  is  obliged. 

BALBOA 

In  this  colony  'tis  he  who  both  makes  and  inter- 
prets the  law. 

QUEVEDO 

Not  so,  he  is  but  a  judge  like  any  other. 

BALBOA 

He  was  sent  here  to  be  my  executioner.  Before 
you  land  in  Spain,  my  soul  will  have  gone  elsewhere 
.   .   .  may  God  receive  it! 

QUEVEDO 

If  your  enemies  are  active,  forget  not  that  your 
friends  are  likewise  so. 

BALBOA 

In  this  world  hatred  prevails  over  love.  Evil  is 
believed  while  good  report  falls  on  deaf  ears.     Each 


BALBOA  91 

slanderous  word  spoken  by  malicious  or  careless 
tongues  weighs  as  a  gospel  text,  and  fools  aid  knaves 
to  strip  a  man  of  his  character.  My  ruin  was  de- 
creed by  the  bishop  of  Burgos  before  Don  Pedrarias 
left  Spain.  The  governor  came  here  to  finish  me. 
He  dared  not  try  me  in  Darien  and  hence  I  was 
brought  here  to  Acla.  Moreover,  the  task  they  set 
him  suits  Pedrarias  well,  for  he  is  a  man  of  petty 
spites  and  small  jealousies.  It  is  gall  to  him  that  I 
should  have  made  my  great  discovery  on  the  very  eve 
of  his  arrival  .  .  .  snatching,  as  it  were,  the  glory 
from  him.  You,  my  lord,  have  witnessed  my  trial. 
You  know  how  flimsy  was  the  evidence  supplied  by 
that  prejudiced  traitor,  Garabito,  whose  vile  life  I 
might  have  taken  had  I  dealt  with  him  according  to 
his  deserts.  My  friends  were  excluded,  or  their  testi- 
mony rejected,  only  slanderers  and  bribed  witnesses 
admitted  .  .   .   faugh !     I  am  nauseated  with  it  all. 

QUEVEDO 

Nay,  Don  Vasco,  all  may  yet  be  well  with  you. 

BALBOA 

Nor  you,  my  lord,  nor  any  man  can  serve  me  fur- 
ther in  this  world,  but  I  beseech  you,  be  zealous  for 
the  welfare  of  my  soul. 

QUEVEDO 

My  poor  prayers  are  yours. 


92  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

You  now  know  the  life  we  live  here  in  this  new 
world.  We  are  not  saints  and  I  have  many  sins  upon 
my  soul. 

QUEVEDO 

Make  your  peace  with  God,  my  son,  and  fear  not. 

BALBOA 

Only  in  Him  do  I  now  trust.  Too  much  trust 
have  I  heretofore  put  in  men,  first  of  all  in  myself. 
When  all  else  fails,  the  deluded  soul  returns  to  its 
Maker.     One  last  service  I  would  beg  of  you. 

QUEVEDO 

Command  me. 

BALBOA 

Fulvia. 

[Fulvia  comes  forward.] 
Take  this  poor  child  into  your  care  and  place  her 
in  safety. 

QUEVEDO 

I'll  take  her  safely  to  Spain. 

BALBOA 

She  is  a  simple  Indian  maid.  God  forgive  me  the 
wrong  I  have  done  her.  She  loves  me  and  has  suf- 
fered for  me.  Poor  child,  I  took  her  for  my  pleas- 
ure, the  plaything  of  my  idle  fancy,  and  now  in  this 


BALBOA  93 

supreme  hour,  'tis  she  who  creeps  back  to  my  side 
to  do  me  homage. 

fulvia 
I  stay  with  you,  Vasco. 

BALBOA 

No,  little  one,  here  thou  mayst  not  stay.  The 
bishop  will  take  thee  to  Spain,  where  thou  shalt  be  a 
Spanish  lady. 

[He  embraces  her  and  then  forces  her  to  go  to 
Quevedo:  the  door  opens  and  Ayora  looks 
in.~\ 

FULVIA 

[Pleadingly .] 
No  more  Spanish  lady  now,  only  Vasco's  little  In- 
dian girl.     Stay  with  you,  Vasco,  with  you. 

QUEVEDO 

Farewell,  Don  Vasco.  You  are  paid  the  wage 
Spain  pays  her  greatest  servants  —  ingratitude,  ca- 
lumny and  death. 

BALBOA 

I  shrink  not  from  death  and  my  honour  is  safe  with 
posterity.  When  history  records  these  deeds,  Pe- 
drarias  will  be  covered  with  infamy,  but  the  name  of 
Balboa  shall  live  in  imperishable  splendour.  Fare- 
well.       {They  embrace.) 

[Exeunt  Quevedo,  leading  Fulvia,  who  goes  re- 
luctantly■,  looking  back  at  Balboa.] 

CURTAIN 


SCENE  VII 

Public  square  at  Ada.  In  centre  back  rises  the  fa- 
cade of  the  church;  typically  Spanish  gable  of 
arches  a  jour  containing  bells.  Houses  around 
the  square  are  low,  modest  buildings  of  adobe, 
washed  with  white,  pink,  yellow,  etc.,  standing 
amongst  tropical  foliage  of  palms,  cacti  and  flow- 
ering shrubs.  To  left  centre  front  stands  one  su- 
perior to  the  others,  having  an  upper  balcony  large 
enough  for  five  or  six  persons:  awnings,  coloured 
blinds  and  green  shutters  on  all  houses.  To  the 
left  back  stands  a  low  scaffold  reached  by  some 
two  or  three  steps,  and  entirely  covered  with  black 
cloth;  the  block  stands  upon  it.  As  the  curtain 
rises,  groups  of  people  are  discovered  about  the 
sides  of  the  square,  before  the  church,  inspecting 
the  scaffold,  etc.,  some  of  whom  are  Spaniards, 
while  others,  more  in  the  background,  are  Indian 
men  and  women.  To  the  right  front  are  friends 
of  Vasco's,  including  Arbolancho,  Boteklo,  Ar- 

GUEKLO. 

BOTELIX) 

The  falling  night  is  sinister :  see,  the  sun  is  already 

covered. 

94 


BALBOA  95 

ARGUELLO 

Aye,  what  self-respecting  planet  would  lighten 
such  a  foul  deed  as  we  shall  witness. 

ARBOLANCHO 

What  a  terrible  situation!  Only  the  evidence  of 
my  own  eyes  and  ears  compels  my  credulity. 

ARGUELLO 

And  must  we  who  have  suffered  under  Don  Vasco 
stand  by  and  see  him  murdered  by  this  stinking  gov- 
ernor?    Mad  re  de  Dios! 

BOTELLO 

I'll  undertake  to  rouse  the  crowd  and  make  a  res- 
cue. 

ARBOLANCHO 

That  were  possible  in  Darien,  but  Pedrarias  has 
cunningly  taken  care  to  pronounce  sentence  here  in 
Acla  and  to  fill  the  town  with  his  own  men,  while 
Vasco's  friends  are  left  behind,  or  have  been  sent  on 
various  pretexts,  elsewhere.     We  are  but  a  handful. 

BOTELLO 

I'll  risk  it.     Where  is  Pizarro? 

ARGUELLO 

Pizarro  went  to  the  governor  this  morning  to  de- 
liver our  memorial  asking  that  the  case  be  appealed 
to  Spain. 


96  BALBOA 

BOTELLO 

And  Pedrarias? 

ARGUELLO 

Refused. 

ABBOLANCHO 

It    was    to    be    foreseen.     Nothing    but    Balboa's 
death  will  appease  his  rancour. 

ARGUELLO 

He  even  refused  Pizarro  permission  to  see  Vasco 
before  the  execution. 

BOTELLO 

The  swine!     Are  we  not  at  least  Christians  and 
Spanish  subjects? 

[Enter  Pizarro.] 

ARBOLANCHO 

Francisco!      (Botello   and  Arguello   greet   Pi- 
zarro.) 

pizarro 
[Moodily  and  with  a  despairing  gesture.'] 
There  is  nothing  to  be  done. 

BOTELLO 

We  can  raise  a  riot.     There  is  not  a  man  of  the 
colonists  who  is  not  for  Balboa. 

PIZARRO 

You  forget  the  sneak  who  condemned  him  with  lies 
and  pretended  revelations. 


BALBOA  97 

ARGUELLQ 

Garabito  !     Curse  him ! 

PIZARRO 

Aye,  may  his  black  soul  sizzle  for  this.     But  there 
are  other  .  .   .  Garabitos  in  this  colony. 

ARBOLANCHO 

Pedrarias  has  men  to  out-number  us.     Besides,  he 
is  the  governor.     Rebellion  comes  high. 

BOTELLO 

Damn  the  price.     I'll  pay  it  willingly  and  take  my 
chances. 

PIZARRO 

Hark!     The  bells. 

[The  church  bells  begin  to  toll;  a  procession  of 
the  Misericordia  brothers  in  dark  grey 
gowns,  cowled  and  masked,  issues  from  the 
church  door  and,  crossing  the  stage  obliquely, 
exits  right.  The  first  man  carries  a  smallish 
crucifix  on  a  tall  pole,  each  of  the  others  an 
unlighted  candle  of  yellow  wax.  The  square 
has  filled  with  people.  The  governor  and 
Dona  Isabel  appear  on  the  balcony,  left 
front,  accompanied,  and  with  two  halberdiers 
on  duty.  The  Executioner,  wearing  a 
black  hood,  black  mask  and  draped  in  a  long 
black  mantle,  enters  and  makes  his  way  to  the 


98  BALBOA 

scaffold,  where  guards  carrying  halberds 
have  taken  their  places.  The  people  stand 
aside,  shrinkingly,  as  lie  goes  through  their 
midst.  Upon  reaching  the  scaffold  he  takes 
off  his  cloak  and  stands,  dressed  in  scarlet, 
resting  his  hands  upon  a  large  two-handed 
sword.  The  Notary,  dressed  in  black,  takes 
his  place  under  the  governor's  balcony.  He 
is  a  thin  man  with  a  high  monotonous  voice.] 

NOTARY 

Oyez,  oyez,  oyez !  In  the  name  of  their  most  gra- 
cious Majesties,  Dona  Johanna,  Queen  of  Castile 
and  Leon,  and  of  Don  Fernando,  King  of  Aragon, 
our  sovereign  lords,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  most 
excellent  Don  Pedro  Arias  d'Avila,  governor  of  the 
provinces  of  Darien  and  the  mainland  of  this  conti- 
nent, sentence  has  been  justly  passed  upon  the  per- 
son of  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa,  a  traitrous  subject  of 
their  gracious  Majesties,  convicted  after  due  process 
of  full  and  legal  trial.  .  .  .  {During  this  recital 
Balboa's  friends  have  been  restless:  others  have 
joined  them  and  loud  murmurs  are  heard  which  find 
some  echo  in  the  crowd.) 

BOTELIA) 

[Loudly  and  angrily.] 
Justice   has   miscarried.     Balboa    appeals    to    the 
Spanish  courts. 


BALBOA  99 

[Outcries,  drowning  the  Notary's  voice.  Pe- 
drarias  gesticulates  furiously,  seeking  to  be 
heard.'] 

PIZARRO 

[Advancing  towards  balcony.] 
I   call  upon  Your  Excellency  to  note  that  these 
proceedings  offend  the  sense  of  this  colony.     Balboa 
is  innocent. 

[Voices  cry:     "  Innocent,  innocent!  "] 

PEDRARIAS 

[Wrathfully.] 
How  dare  you,  sir?     How  dare  you  disturb  the 
decorum  attending  the  execution  of  justice  upon  a 
guilty  man? 

SEVERAL 

Balboa  is  innocent. 

PEDRARIAS 

He  is  guilty.      He  has  had  a  fair  trial  and  upon 
evidence  he  has  been  convicted. 

BOTELLO 

The   kind   of   evidence   that   convicted   Our  Lord 
Christ. 

PEDRARIAS 

Blasphemer ! 

BOTELLO 

Pilate !     Wash  your  hands  ! 


100  BALBOA 

PIZARRO 

The  services  of  Vasco  Nunez  to  Spain  and  to  this 
colony  would  entitle  him  to  clemency  even  were  there 
crushing  proofs  of  the  charges  against  him  —  and 
there  are  none. 

PEDRARIAS 

His  services  have  been  rewarded.     For  his  crimes 
he  must  suffer. 

PIZARRO 

We  protest  against  this  unseemly  haste.     Balboa 
appeals  to  Spain. 

PEDRARIAS 

Silence,  sir;  this  is  rebellion.     I'll  have  the  lot  of 
you  in  irons. 

[The  bells  have  tolled  at  intervals.  A  roll  of 
drums  in  the  distance  is  now  heard  and  the 
chanting  of  the  Miserere.  The  Misericordia 
brothers  now  appear  from  the  left,  the  cross- 
bearer  in  advance,  the  others  in  double  file 
with  their  wax  torches  lighted,  chanting. 
Several  guards  with  halberds  precede  them, 
clearing  the  way:  the  people  fall  back  and 
Pizarro  rejoins  his  friends  at  left  front. 
Following  the  Misericordia  come  the  drum- 
mers and  more  soldiers  with  pikes  and  mus- 
kets: Ayora  is  captain;  last  of  all  walks  Bal- 
boa, bare-headed,  his  hands  tied  in  front  of 


BALBOA  101 

him.  A  friar  walks  with  him  carrying  a  cru- 
cifix and  talking  to  him  in  a  low,  earnest  man- 
ner. The  Misericordia  brothers  group  them- 
selves between  the  scaffold  and  the  church, 
centre  back.  Pizarro  steps  forward  as 
Balboa  advances.] 

PIZARRO 

[With  emotion.] 
Vasco ! 

BALBOA 

Francisco,  my  friend.  (To  the  others.)  I  thank 
you,  my  friends,  for  your  sympathy. 

PIZARRO 

Oh,  day  of  woe  and  calamity  for  Darien!  When 
you  leave  us  we  shall  quit  this  accursed  spot  where 
the  noxious  seeds  of  envy,  malice  and  lies  have  blown 
the  flower  of  judicial  murder. 

BALBOA 

It  comes  to  all  of  us  to  die  and  none  of  us  may 
choose  the  manner  nor  the  hour.  It  was  written 
that  I  should  die  on  a  scaffold  here  in  Acla.  There- 
fore am  I  here. 

PIZARRO 

And  'twas  I  who  brought  you  to  your  prison. 
God  forgive  me ;  I  dare  not  ask  your  pardon. 


102  BALBOA 

BALBOA 

You  obeyed  orders  and  I  reproach  no  man  for 
obedience. 

PIZARRO 

I  should  have  known  how  it  would  end,  save  that  I 
was  a  fool.  Before  God !  Pedrarias  tricked  me  into 
it. 

BALBOA 

You  need  not  torment  yourself.  I  know  you  for 
a  friend.  To  you,  Francisco,  I  bequeath  a  legacy 
of  conquest  —  Peru,  the  golden  land  of  the  Incas. 
To  me  is  denied  the  glory  of  bringing  that  kingdom 
under  the  Spanish  crown  and  into  the  fold  of  Chris- 
tendom. Peru  .  .  .  Peru  .  .  .  my  dream!  Yours 
shall  be  the  reality.     Farewell. 

[Pizarro  kneeling  embraces  Balboa  around  the 
waist;  the  latter  rests  his  bound  hands  upon 
Pizarro's  head:  rising,  the  latter  kisses  him 
on  both  cheeks.] 

pizarro 
[With  emotion.] 
Farewell. 

[The  others  crowd  forward  and  touch  him  with 
choked  farewells.] 

BALBOA 

Farewell,  good  friends.  If  I  have  failed  to  teach 
you  how  to  live,  please  God  I  now  may  show  you  how 
to  die. 


BALBOA  103 

[He  moves  forward  and  mounts  the  scaffold. 
The  soldiers  close  around  so  that  only  his 
head  and  shoulders  are  visible  above  their 
serried  ranks.  Night  is  drawing  rapidly  on 
and  the  scene  is  darkening.] 

EXECUTIONER 

[Kneeling.] 
Sir,  I  ask  your  forgiveness. 

BALBOA 

You  do  but  your  duty.  {Speaking  to  the  crowd.) 
Good  people,  I  thank  you  all  who  are  come  here  to 
see  me  end  a  life  Almighty  God  has  judged  me  no 
longer  worthy  to  live.  If  there  be  any  amongst  you 
whom  I  have  offended  I  crave  forgiveness,  and  I  beg 
}rou  all  to  give  my  passing  soul  the  charity  of  your 
prayers.  I  have  much  to  repent,  much  evil  that  I 
cannot  undo,  but  with  the  help  of  this  ghostly  friar 
I  have  made  my  peace  with  God  and  I  go  with  serene 
conscience  and  untroubled  heart  to  face  the  bar  of 
His  infinite  justice, —  of  His  infinite  mercy.  In  ex- 
piation of  my  countless  sins  I  lay  down  my  life,  but 
of  the  crimes  charged  against  me  and  which  have 
brought  me  on  this  scaffold,  I  protest  my  innocence. 

[Murmurs  of  sympathy  in  the  crowd.] 
For   what   I   have   achieved,    this    end   may    seem    a 
strange  reward,  for  I  have  added  to  my  sovereign's 
empire  and  I  have  given  Spain  a  new  ocean.     Every 


104  BALBOA 

wave  of  the  Pacific  shall  henceforth  murmur  my 
name, —  Balboa ;  its  every  tide  shall  chant  my  eternal 
requiem.  Were  I  a  traitor  doubly  dyed,  its  blue  wa- 
ters should  wash  me  clean.  Traitor !  The  foulest 
word  on  human  tongue.  Treason !  The  most  poi- 
sonous of  human  crimes !  No  lesser  accusation 
would  have  sufficed,  hence  was  this  chosen  for  my  un- 
doing. I  am  but  a  plain  soldier,  defenceless  against 
the  intrigues  of  my  enemies,  but  put  a  sword  in  my 
hand  and  I'll  shout  them  a  challenge  from  Panama 
to  the  Pillars  of  Hercules,  and  I'll  slit  their  lying 
throats  and  send  their  perjured  souls  to  nethermost 
hell.     I  appeal  to  Spain. 

[Murmurs,  clamour  and  shouts  of  appeal,  re- 
prieve, etc.  Pedrarias  gesticulates  furi- 
ously, leaning  over  the  balcony  and  shouting 
orders.  Dona  Isabel  becomes  hysterical 
and  is  led  through  the  balcony  window,  weep- 
ing, by  her  attendants.  Balboa  disappears 
in  the  struggling  mass  of  soldiers  holding  the 
crowd  bach  from  the  scaffold:  the  friar  raises 
his  crucifix  and  steps  down:  the  lieadsman's 
sword  rises  and  falls  with  a  thud;  a  movement 
of  horror  goes  through  the  crowd.  A  mo- 
ment of  profound  silence  follows.  Tlie 
headsman  holds  up  a  bloody  head.~\ 

EXECUTIONER 

Long  live  the  King. 


BALBOA  105 

[People  turn  their  faces  aside,  crossing  them- 
selves; Balboa's  friends  clutch  one  another; 
a  low  sullen  murmur  of  "  Long  live  the  King  " 
answers  the  headsman's  cry.] 

pizarro 
[Suddenly  drawing  his  sword  in  the  air,  and  m 
stentorian  tones.~\ 
Long  live  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa,  discoverer  of 
the  Pacific! 

[In  a  whirl  of  enthusiasm  this  cry  is  echoed. 
Pedrarias  stops  his  ears  and  rushes  mto  the 
house.  A  thrilling  blast  of  bugles  calls  for 
order.     Uproar  and  confusion.] 


CURTAIN 


II 

XILONA 

A  Pageant  Drama  of  the  Mexican 
Conquest 

IN 

Four  Acts 


Speaking  Characters  of  the  Play,  in  the 
Order  of  Their  Importance 

men 

Achel,  High  Priest  of  Yucatan. 

Fra  Geronimo,  a  Franciscan  Friar,  prisoner  at  Labna. 

XicotencaLj  General  of  the  Armies  of  the  Republic  of 
Tlaxcala. 

Guerrero,  known  as  Holcan.  A  Spanish  soldier 
commanding  the  Indian  forces  at  Labna. 

Xicotencal,  Regent  of  the  Republic  of  Tlaxcala. 

Fernando  Cortes,  known  as  "  Malinche,"  an  ambas- 
sador from  Montezuma. 

Ahcunal,  Astrologer  of  Labna. 

Olarte,  a  Spanish  youth,  prisoner  at  Labna. 

Villafana,  a  traitor. 

AlvaradOj  a  captain  under  Cortes. 

0  [Two  Spanish  prisoners  at  Labna. 

Sanchez  J  r  r 

An  Indian  Messenger  of  Cortes. 

A  Senator  of  Tlaxcala. 

A  Chamberlain. 

women 

Xilona,  Princess  of  Labna  in  Yucatan. 

Nezehua,  Her  aunt. 

Marina,  Interpreter  of  Cortes. 

NON-SPEAKING    CHARACTERS 

Emperor  Montezuma,  Prince  of  Labna,  Two  Aztec 
Kings.  Gentlemen  of  the  Aztec  Court.  Captains  under 
Cortes.  Franciscan  and  Dominican  monks.  Spanish, 
Aztec,  Yucatan  and  Tlaxcalan  soldiers.  Aztec  priests 
and  astrologers.  Ladies  of  Princess  Xilona.  Citizens 
of  Labna  and  Mexico.  Dwarfs,  albinos  and  human 
monstrosities  of  Montezuma's  court. 


ACT  I 


ACT  I 

Time:     April,  1519. 
Scene  I. 

Hall  in  the  Palace  of  Labna:  architecture  repro- 
duced from  Uxmal.  The  hall  is  lighted  by  torches 
placed  at  intervals  along  the  walls,  which  are  hung 
with  painted  tapestries  showing  Indian  divmities, 
battle-scenes,  etc. 

Nezehua  listens  at  the  curtain  over  the  entrance  to 
the  room  where  the  Prince  lies  dying;  with  a  ges- 
ture of  anxiety  she  comes  to  the  centre. 

NEZEHUA 

How  long,  oh,  lord  of  life?     O  lord  of  death,  how 
long?     Our  city  watches  and  our  people  pray  while 
my  stricken  brother's  life  ebbs  in  a  long  agony. 
[Enter  Ahcunal,  from  Prince's  room.'] 

Well,  Ahcunal,  what  news  do  you  bring  from  the 
prince,  my  brother?     How  fares  it? 

ahcunal 

Alas,  lady,  the  gods  of  life  and  death  will  not  be 

commanded;  no  skill  of  ours  and  no  power  of  herbs 

our  forests  yield  can  stay  the  spreading  infection  of 

111 


112  XILONA 

his  wound.  Our  counsels  are  no  longer  prized  and 
the  captive  priest  —  the  white  man  —  is  now  sum- 
moned to  replace  us  at  the  prince's  bedside. 

NEZEHUA 

[Hopefully.'] 
Our  people  count  him  wise  and  they  say  he  has 
wrought    wondrous    cures    by    his    healing    art;    my 
brother  listens  willingly  to  him. 

AHCUNAL 

Too  willingly  by  far.  This  crafty  one  has  cun- 
ningly invaded  the  confidence  of  our  people  and  the 
councils  of  our  State.  He  mocks  our  gods  and  yet 
the  people  venerate  him:  in  affairs  of  State,  his  ad- 
vice is  preferred  to  that  of  our  most  trusted  elders. 
Since  his  companion,  Holcan,  has  married  our  ruler's 
niece  and  assumed  command  of  our  army,  the  State 
of  Labna  is  passing  into  the  power  of  these  vagabond 
strangers. 

NEZEHUA 

Holcan  has  led  our  armies  to  victory  over  our  ene- 
mies and  made  safe  our  frontiers.  As  for  the  priest, 
I  like  not  his  talk  about  religion,  but  if  his  skill  can 
save  where  yours  has  failed,  then  I  say  blessed  be  his 
name  in  Labna.  But  oh !  what  distressful  welcome  is 
this  for  our  young  princess,  thus  suddenly  called 
from  her  convent  shelter  to  take  in  her  child-grasp 
the  reins  of  government  now  slipping  from  her  fa- 


XILONA  113 

ther's  failing  hands !  Even  now  the  runners  have 
come  in  advance  of  her  litter,  to  announce  her  arrival 
in  the  city.  Achel,  the  high  priest,  accompanies  her. 
How  shall  I  tell  her  this  sorrowful  news? 

AHCUNAL 

Fortunate  indeed  will  be  the  presence  of  the  great 
Achel,  a  man  of  singular  wisdom  and  high  courage; 
he  will  defeat  the  influence  of  these  intriguing  strang- 
ers in  our  State. 

NEZEHUA 

Achel  has  trained  our  young  princess  in  the  doc- 
trines of  our  religion  and  in  the  science  of  govern- 
ment. She  will  take  as  her  consort  the  young  Gen- 
eral Xicotencal,  son  of  the  regent  of  the  Republic  of 
Tlaxcala. 

AHCUNAL 

With  General  Xicotencal  by  our  princess's  side 
and  the  powerful  Republic  for  her  ally,  Yucatan  may 
become  once  more  united  and  our  royal  house  take 
the  foremost  place  that  by  ancient  right  belongs  to 
it.  Achel  will  guard  our  temples  and  may  we  speed- 
ily see  the  end  of  foreign  men  and  novel  doctrines. 
[Enter  Achel,  leading  Xilona  by  the  hand.] 

NEZEHUA 

My  child!     My  dear  child! 

ACHEL 

I  bring  hither  Xilona,  Princess  of  Labna. 


114  XILONA 


XILONA 


[Embracing  Nezehua.] 
My  dearest  aunt!     What  joy  to  see  you  again, 
were  all  joy  not  quenched  in  the  dread  that  grips  my 
heart !     What  news  of  my  father  ? 


NEZEHUA 

Alas !  His  life  ebbs  swiftly,  and  you  are  but 
come  to  see  him  die. 

[They  embrace  and  weep.] 

ACHEL 

Earth  is  robbed  that  heaven  may  be  adorned. 
The  Prince  of  Labna  is  called  hence  by  our  gods  to 
sit  in  the  celestial  council  where  his  great  ancestors 
are  assembled  awaiting  him.  Upon  your  shoulders, 
Princess,  falls  his  royal  mantle  and  on  your  brow  sits 
his  crown.  Amidst  the  nation's  lamentations,  your 
tears  must  be  dried;  your  part  is  to  ascend  serenely 
the  vacant  throne  from  whence  to  guide  the  destinies 
of  your  people. 

XILONA 

Filial    grief,    most    reverend    sir,   will    not   be    so 
promptly  stilled.     Leave  me  my  tears  and  lead  me 
straightway  to  my  father.     Six  long  years  without 
seeing  him  —  and  now  I  find  him  but  to  lose  him ! 
[Sobbing,  she  is  led  away  by  Nezehua.] 


XILONA  115 

ACHEL 

[To  Ahcunal.] 
No  arts  have  availed  to  save  the  Prince's  life? 

AHCUNAL 

Our  wisest  healers  have  exhausted  their  skill  in 
vain ;  night  after  night,  have  I  sought  guidance  from 
the  stars  of  the  firmament,  but  no  answer  comes  to 
my  questioning.  Such  silence  of  the  oracles  bodes 
ill,  I  fear,  to  Labna. 

ACHEL 

Evil  tidings  roll  up  from  all  quarters  like  storm- 
clouds  that  foretell  the  approaching  hurricane. 
Strange  and  portentous  happenings  are  reported 
from  divers  parts  of  Montezuma's  Empire,  while 
everywhere  our  gods  are  silent.  Here  in  Labna,  I 
am  told,  reside  five  strangers, —  pale-faced,  bearded 
men  whom  the  sea  cast  forth.  It  is  even  reported 
that  one  has  married  a  princess  of  the  royal  house; 
while  the  other  is  a  priest  of  some  unknown  faith, 
who  preaches  novel  doctrines  to  seduce  our  people 
from  the  gods  of  their  ancestors.  While  such  blas- 
phemy echoes  in  our  very  sanctuary,  how  shall  our 
prayers  be  answered?  Our  prince  has  too  lightly 
tolerated  and  even  encouraged  these  unknown  ene- 
mies of  our  race  and  faith,  therefore  offended  heaven 
may  take  his  crown  and  life. 


116  XILONA 

AHCUNAL 

The  reports  are  true.  Two  of  the  five  white 
strangers  whom  our  prince  keeps  at  his  court  have 
acquired  dangerous  influence  in  our  State.  The  one 
called  Holcan  is  a  warrior,  to  whom  none  can  deny 
qualities  of  bravery  and  skill  in  fighting.  The  other 
lives  aloof  from  all  human  companionship,  according 
to  a  rule  of  life  to  which  his  religion  binds  him,  just 
as  do  the  priests  who  serve  in  our  temples.  He  has 
refused  marriage  and  shuns  women.  Our  prince  has 
paid  him  high  honour ;  so  much  so,  that  recently  no 
decision  was  taken  without  this  man,  Geronimo,  being 
consulted. 

ACHEL 

And  has  our  prince  listened  to  his  blasphemies 
against  the  gods  of  Yucatan? 

AHCUNAL 

He  declares  he  finds  much  conformity  between  the 
white  priest's  teaching  and  our  own  sacred  writings. 

ACHEL 

There  is  here  much  food  for  reflection.  Like  the 
poison  of  the  prince's  wound,  this  venom  needs  to  be 
arrested  ere  it  spreads  to  the  vitals  of  the  nation  and 
corrupts  its  very  life.  There  has  recently  landed 
on  the  Totonac  coast  a  white  warrior  called  Malin- 
che,  with  many  followers,  coming  from  the  direction 
of  the  rising  sun  in  great  canoes,  larger  than  houses 


XILONA  117 

and  that  move  on  white  wings  before  the  winds  of 
heaven  and  are  subject  to  guidance.  Strange  mon- 
sters, one  half  resembling  a  man,  and  the  other  half 
a  stag,  form  part  of  his  company ;  and  he  brings  en- 
gines of  death  that  blaze  forth  thunder  and  light- 
ning, destroying  hundreds  of  men  in  an  instant.  No 
chief  nor  tribe  has  been  able  to  withstand  this  cap- 
tain's progress  towards  Mexico,  where  he  seeks  Mon- 
tezuma. The  Emperor  is  perplexed  and,  though 
sending  ambassadors  with  words  of  welcome  and 
costly  gifts  to  the  stranger,  he  has  forbidden  him  to 
advance. 

[Enter  a  court  Chamberlain.] 

CHAMBERLAIN 

An  embassy  from  the  Emperor  Montezuma  is  at 
the  palace  gates. 

ACHEL 

Deliver  this  news  within ;  if  our  dying  prince  be  too 
far  gone  to  receive  the  embassy,  then  must  the  Prin- 
cess Xilona  begin  her  reign  while  her  father  still 
breathes. 

[Exit  Chamberlain  into  Prince's  room.'] 

Now  shall  we  speedily  learn  more  of  the  foreign 
captain  of  whom  I  spoke,  for  I  doubt  not  but  that 
this  embassy  has  to  do  with  his  movements.  Monte- 
zuma, sorely  troubled,  is  sending  envoys  to  all  his 
tributaries  and  confederates.     There  have  been  de- 


118  t  XILONA 

fections ;  some  whose  suspected  disloyalty  only 
waited  an  opportunity  to  declare  itself,  have  openly 
joined  the  invaders.  The  Totonac  tribes  are  in  re- 
bellion against  Mexico,  and  numerous  smaller  states 
do  homage  to  Malinche  and  furnish  him  supplies. 
The  Emperor  himself  is  doubtful  and,  by  his  waver- 
ing, only  augments  the  danger  he  should  meet  and 
crush  while  he  still  may. 

[Enter  Chamberlain  and  others.] 

CHAMBERLAIN 

Our  prince  thus  wills  to  close  his  reign  as  he  began 
it,  with  an  act  of  homage  to  the  great  Montezuma. 
[Enter  Ambassador,    accompanied  by  an  As- 
trologer and  suite,  preceded  by  incense  bear- 
ers; he  carries  a  red  rose  m  his  hand.] 

ACHEL 

[Saluting  Ambassador.] 
Blessed  be  the  consolation  your  distinguished  visit 
brings  to  this  city  of  mourning,  my  Lord  Ambassa- 
dor.    I  trust  you  are  refreshed  from  the  fatigues  of 
your  journey. 

AMBASSADOR 

I  find  my  refreshment  in  your  presence,  most  rev- 
erend sir.  The  Emperor  has  sent  in  my  company 
this  most  learned  magician  whose  celestial  science  has 
oft  been  proved,  and  whose  singular  power  may  pro- 
cure the  benefits  of  recovery  to  the  wounded  prince. 


XILONA  119 

ACHEL 

May  the  Emperor's  solicitude  be  requited  by  our 
prince's  restoration.  Is  all  well  in  the  empire  of 
Montezuma  ? 

AMBASSADOR 

Disquiet  and  alarm  pervade  all  Mexico  because  of 
the  movements  of  certain  mysterious  men  like  unto 
none  hitherto  known  in  our  country,  whose  captain 
is  called  Malinche. 

ACHEL 

We  are  not  reassured  in  Yucatan  by  the  toleration 
extended  by  the  powerful  Montezuma  to  this  insig- 
nificant group  of  strangers  whom  he  might  crush  with 
one  decisive  blow.  Deign,  sir,  to  explain  the  pur- 
port of  the  Emperor's  intentions,  that  we  may  be 
inspired  by  his  higher  wisdom  and  conform  our  con- 
duct to  his  lofty  example. 

AMBASSADOR 

Conflicting  counsels  have  bred  perplexity  in  Mex- 
ico. Before  disclosing  active  hostility  towards  Ma- 
linche, who  represents  himself  as  an  envoy  sent  hither 
by  a  mighty  king,  to  make  acquaintance  with  our 
sovereign  and  his  state,  the  Emperor  would  first  as- 
sure himself  of  the  support  of  vassals  and  confed- 
erates. Such  is  the  purpose  of  my  mission  here. 
We  are  informed  the  prince  harbours  certain  of  these 
pernicious  pale-faced  men  in  his  city  and  treats  them 


120  X1LONA 

with  distinction.  The  fact  is  disturbing,  for  it  is 
clear  their  noxious  presence  offends  the  gods,  whom 
they  openly  blaspheme,  and  menaces  the  State  whose 
foundations  they  undermine. 

ACHEL 

I  am  of  your  mind  regarding  this,  and  since  our 
prince's  attachment  to  these  insidious  aliens  resists 
the  reasoning  of  his  counsellors,  we  must  invoke  the 
pressure  of  higher  powers.  This  learned  astrologer 
may  read  in  the  signs  set  for  our  guidance  in  the 
stars  of  heaven  some  message  that  may  convince  our 
prince  that  the  purchase  of  his  own  life  may  only 
be  at  the  price  of  theirs.  It  were  a  wholesome  reve- 
lation and  a  timely  one. 

[Enter  Xilona,  Nezehua  and  others.] 

XILONA 

My  Lord  Ambassador,  I  greet  you  from  my  fa- 
ther, who  craves  your  presence  instantly  within,  an- 
ticipating comfort  from  the  pledge  of  confidence  you 
bear  him  from  the  Emperor.  We  are  not  wont  in 
Yucatan  to  greet  the  envoys  of  Montezuma  with 
tears  and  sighs,  but  our  city  is  weighed  down  with 
sorrow ;  apprehension  freezes  our  hearts,  grown 
strangers  to  joy.  You  will  dispense  us  from  offer- 
ing you  a  festal  wrelcome. 

AMBASSADOR 

Your   speech  is   worthy   of  this   place  and  hour. 


XILONA  121 

May  the  gods  grant  that  I  leave  Labna  happier  than 
I  find  it. 

[Exit  into  Prince's  room,  followed  by  his  suite.] 

[Enter  Fra  Geronimo.] 

AHCUNAL 

Behold,  here  comes  the  man,  Geronimo. 

ACHEL 

Ah! 

NEZEHUA 

[To  Geronimo.] 
Our  people  praise  your  healing  power.     Now  is 
the  time  to  use  it.     Will  you  not  save  our  prince? 

GERONIMO 

Madam,  my  reputation  exceeds  my  merits,  for  my 
skill  is  not  great  and  the  prince's  state  is  grave. 
His  wound  is  vital  and  past  human  remedy.  I  con- 
cern myself  not  for  his  bodily  healing,  but  for  the 
health  of  his  soul.  He  has  heard  my  words,  and  I 
pray  that  he  may  die  a  Christian. 

NEZEHUA 

[Sarcastically.] 
A  Christian?     And  wherefore  shall  the  prince  for- 
sake the  religion  of  his  race  in  the  hour  of  death,  to 
follow  a  strange  god  who  is  powerless  to  save  him? 

GERONIMO 

That  he  may  go  to  heaven. 


122  XILONA 

NEZEHUA 

Will  there  be  Spaniards  in  heaven? 

GERONIMO 

Yes,  they  all  hope  to  go  there. 

NEZEHUA 

Then  the  prince  had  better  not ;  there  is  no  heaven 
for  us  where  Spaniards  are. 

ACHEL 

The  Mexican  astrologer  seeks  guidance  from  the 
heavens,  and  the  stars  that  govern  the  course  of  our 
prince's  life  will  pronounce  his  salvation  or  his  doom. 
Let  us  await  his  verdict. 

GERONIMO 

Vain  are  such  star-questionings.  All  men  must 
die,  and  each  man,  when  his  time  is  come,  must  ren- 
der up  his  life  and  an  accounting  therefor.  The 
prying  of  astrologers  and  sorcerers  into  the  future 
is  but  a  delusion ;  the  stars  are  dumb  and  their  pre- 
tended oracles  are  but  cunning  inventions  to  mystify 
the  ignorant. 

XILONA 

[Visibly  impressed  by  Geronimo,  questions  Ne- 
zehua  aside.] 
Who  is  the  wondrous  stranger? 


XILONA  123 

NEZEHUA 

He  is  jour  father's  captive  from  a  land  beyond  the 
rising  sun. 

XILONA 

[Fascinated  and  musing  to  herself.] 
His  head  is  crowned  with  gold!     His  face  is  fair 
as  the  lilies  by  the  temple  lake.      (She  regards  him 
with  emotion.)     He  is  a  child  of  the  sun. 

ACHEL 

[To  Geronimo.] 
Scorn  not  a  science  too  high  for  your  understand- 
ing; 'tis  cheap  condemnation.  The  heavens  are  the 
open  scroll  of  the  gods,  whereon  is  written  in  plan- 
etary symbols  the  past  and  the  future  of  the  human 
race.  You  scoff,  where  you  should  reverence.  Now, 
tell  me,  whence  come  you? 

GERONIMO 

From  across  the  eastern  sea ;  I  come  from  the 
Catholic  land  of  Spain.  I  and  my  companions  es- 
caped the  perils  of  shipwreck  and  the  yet  fiercer  dan- 
gers of  man-eating  savages  before  we  found  refuge 
here  in  Labna.  Six  years  ago  our  caraval  was 
dashed  to  pieces  upon  the  treacherous  reefs  of  Ja- 
maica, during  a  black  night  of  wild  tempest  against 
which  no  ship  could  battle.  The  seething  waters  en- 
gulfed us  all  and  many  perished,  but  when  the  hur- 
ricane   subsided    and  dawn    broke    over    the    tragic 


124  XILONA 

scene,  some  twelve  of  us  survived,  clinging  with  des- 
perate, stiffening  fingers  to  the  one  ship's  boat  that 
floated.  For  days  and  days  beneath  the  merciless 
sun  that  blazed  upon  us  from  a  firmament  of  brass, 
we  drifted  helplessly, —  rudderless  and  without  oars 
or  tackle  to  steer  our  course,  or  sail  to  profit  by  the 
winds.  We  sought  in  the  stupor  of  sleep  some  res- 
pite from  the  invasive  agonies  of  starvation ;  but 
with  sleep  came  dreams,  and  we  wakened  raving. 
From  man  no  help  could  come,  and  God,  on  Whom 
we  called  unceasingly,  seemed  deaf  or  forgetful  of 
His  creatures.  When  the  extremity  of  human  en- 
durance was  reached,  our  frail  boat  was  caught  by  a 
merciful  current  that  carried  it  to  the  coast  of  Yuca- 
tan, where  a  fresh  stream  of  sweet  water  flowed  into 
the  sea  and  life-saving  fruits  hung  in  abundance  from 
the  trees.  We  were  brought  here  to  Labna,  where 
the  beneficent  prince  has  sheltered  us. 

ACHEL 

A  marvellous  tale,  full  of  strange  incident. 

XILONA 

It  is  a  pitiful  tale  that  wrings  the  heart.     I  am 
glad  my  father  showed  compassion. 

NEZEHUA 

He  tells  his  story  well  —  but  who  knows  if  it  be 
true  ?  —  tales  of  the  sea  ! 


XILONA  125 

ACHEL 

And  what  religion  do  you  preach? 

GERONIMO 

I  bring  a  gospel  of  love  and  peace  and  joy.  As 
one  God  created  the  earth  and  all  mankind,  so  are  we 
all  children  of  one  divine  Father  and  hence  are  broth- 
ers, and  bound  to  love  one  another.  For,  in  the  be- 
ginning God  placed  a  man  and  a  woman  in  a  garden 
of  beauty  and  plenty,  where  they  were  happy  until 
through  the  woman  came  the  sin  of  disobedience  into 
the  world.  And  with  sin  came  suffering  and  all  mis- 
eries ;  love  was  turned  into  hatred,  joy  into  mourning 
and  plenty  was  replaced  by  Want.  To  save  our  fallen 
race  the  Son  of  God  took  to  Himself  our  human  na- 
ture and  came  amongst  us,  humbly,  as  a  little  child 
born  of  a  virgin ;  His  own  received  Him  not,  but  re- 
viled and  persecuted  Him,  putting  Him  to  a  shame- 
ful death  upon  the  cross,  which  is  now  the  emblem  of 
our  salvation.  His  was  the  all-sufficing  sacrifice  by 
which  each  fallen  soul  has  been  redeemed,  and  which  is 
perpetuated  in  the  bloodless  Eucharist.  To  the  chief 
of  His  apostles,  St.  Peter,  and  to  his  successors  for- 
ever, our  Lord  gave  the  mission  to  subdue  all  the 
human  race  under  His  sweet  yoke.  In  Rome,  the 
chief  city  of  the  whole  world,  is  fixed  the  pontifical 
chair,  from  whence  radiates  the  saving  light  of  Chris- 
tian teaching ;  and  I,  the  least  of  the  servants  of  the 


126  XILONA 

Church,  am  cast  by  a  strange  destiny  upon  these  dis- 
tant shores,  to  institute  here  the  sacraments  of  our 
faith  by  which  all  may  become  good  and  pure  and 
merciful  in  this  world,  and  attain  eternal  bliss  in  the 
world  to  come. 

ACHEL 

In  all  this  I  perceive  no  new  doctrine,  nor  any 
higher  rule  of  life  than  what  we  have  received  from 
our  forefathers.  By  our  law  it  is  sinful  to  kill,  to 
steal,  to  defraud,  to  covet  the  goods  or  the  wife  of 
another.  We  confess  our  sins  with  humility  and  do 
penance  in  expiation  thereof.  We  are  commanded 
to  feed  the  hungry,  to  clothe  the  naked  and  to  visit 
the  sick,  remembering  that  all  men  are  one  flesh  and 
brothers.  We  adore  one  supreme  god  and  creator 
of  all  things  and  we  have  his  law  by  which  we  shall  be 
saved  and  forever  united  to  him.  To  him  we  offer 
sacrifice,  for  to  the  lord  of  life,  is  life  due. 

GERONIMO 

The  devil  apes  holiness,  the  better  to  beguile  un- 
wary souls  to  destruction ;  throughout  this  land,  un- 
clean altars  reek  with  human  blood ;  hourly  the  cries 
of  the  victims,  slaughtered  in  Satanic  orgies,  call  for 
vengeance  on  the  ministers  of  these  inhuman  rites.  0 
God !  Why  dost  thou  allow  the  devil  to  be  so  hon- 
oured in  this  fair  land ! 


XILONA  127 

ACHEL 

You  proclaim  yourself  a  man  of  peace,  but  your 
kinsmen  invade  our  neighbouring  states  with  the  fury 
of  devils  and  an  insatiable  greed  for  riches,  like  unto 
the  ravening  hunger  of  wild  beasts.  You  discourse 
of  love  and  purity  while  they  bring  us  hatred  and 
lust.  The  evidence  of  your  doctrine  is  hard  to  find 
in  the  practices  of  your  countrymen.  Your  pontiff 
enthroned  in  distant  Rome  we  know  not,  for  I  am 
pontiff  in  Yucatan ;  but  we  know  the  Spaniards'  god 
—  his  name  is  gold.  {Mockingly.)  Hallowed  be 
thy  name,  O  gold !  We  have  parrots  in  Yucatan 
who  talk  better  sense  than  you. 

NEZEHUA 

Don't  talk  to  him.  These  wranglings  over  religion 
are  wearisome.  Each  nation  has  its  own  gods,  and 
surely  ours  are  as  good  as  any  others.  Novelties  in 
religion  should  be  discouraged. 

XILONA 

His  speech  is  strange,  but  I  like  his  words.  I 
would  speak  with  him  and  hear  more. 

NEZEHUA 

Do  not  speak  with  him ;  or,  if  you  must,  bid  him 
be  silent  and  stop  insulting  our  gods.  It  brings 
bad  luck. 


128  XILONA 

ACHEL 

You  must  not  speak  with  him.  He  is  a  prisoner 
and  a  blasphemer. 

XILONA 

It  is  my  will  to  speak  with  him  —  alone.  (Mo- 
tioning the  others  aside,  she  approaches  Geronimo.) 
You  are  the  messenger  of  a  new  god? 

[Achel  and  Nezehua  retire  to  one  side  watch- 
ing suspiciously.] 

GERONIMO 

I  am  the  messenger  of  the  supreme  and  only  God, 
Who  is  not  new,  but  is  from  the  beginning  and  for  all 
eternity ;  His  law  is  love. 

XILONA 

[Ecstatically.'] 
His  law  is  Love !     The  god  of  love  is  supreme,  and 
you  are  his  messenger  to  me.     Do  you  bring  me  love? 

GERONIMO 

Divine  love  that  passeth  understanding;  not  the 
baser  passion  men  .know,  but  the  love  of  holiness  that 
endureth  forever. 

XILONA 

[Puzzled.] 
Not  man's  love?     I  do  not  understand.     Will  you 
teach  me  this  new  love? 


XILONA  129 

GERONIMO 

Willingly.      Such  is  my  mission. 

XILONA 

I  have  listened  to  your  speech  with  Achel.  Three 
days'  journey  from  here,  in  the  depths  of  the  forest, 
there  stands  a  holy  temple  where  I  have  ministered  as 
priestess  at  the  shrine.  While  there,  I  chanced  upon 
an  ancient  book,  wherein  are  written  things  of  our 
religion  —  of  the  religion  of  our  earliest  forefathers 
—  very  like  to  what  you  told  him.  In  that  ancient 
book,  it  is  written  that  human  sacrifice  is  abhorrent 
to  the  creator  of  all  things ;  the  early  law  of  our  re- 
ligion knew  no  sacrifice  of  men  but  commanded  that 
fruits,  flowers  and  honey  should  be  laid  upon  the  al- 
tar, while  the  sweet  smoke  of  incense  bore  heaven- 
wards our  prayers.  Later,  when  our  temple  rites 
came  under  the  rule  of  the  Aztec  priests,  were  human 
sacrifices  first  ordained.  (She  produces  book. )  Now 
listen  to  this  prophecy  on  which  I  have  often  pon- 
dered. (She  reads. )  "  At  the  close  of  the  thirteenth 
age  of  the  world,  the  sign  of  the  Lord  of  the  sky  will 
appear  and  the  cross  will  be  seen  by  the  nations  of 
men.  Receive  well  the  bearded  guests  who  are  com- 
ing, for  they  shall  be  as  fathers  and  brothers  to 
you."  We  are  now  in  the  thirteenth  age.  What  say 
vou? 


130  XILONA 

GERONIMO 

This  wonderful  book  speaks  the  truth,  and  the 
workings  of  God's  spirit  are  mysterious.  This  mes- 
sage is  divine  and  was  delivered  to  your  people  by  a 
sage  of  olden  times,  inspired  like  the  prophets  of 
Israel  or  the  sibyls  of  the  Gentiles.  To  you  is  the 
message ;  you  see  the  light,  Princess !  The  voice  of 
nature  and  the  voice  of  God  speak  to  your  soul. 
Hear  them  and  obey. 

XILONA 

I  am  but  a  girl.  What  can  I  do  against  the 
priests  ? 

GERONIMO 

You  are  a  princess,  and  you  will  shortly  rule  this 
land. 

XILONA 

In  things  of  religion  the  ruler  must  obey  the 
priests. 

GERONIMO 

Your  priests  are  slaves  of  the  devil  and  teach  the 
lies  of  hell.  You  are  the  shepherd  of  your  people 
and  must  defend  them  against  the  ravening  beasts 
that  feast  on  their  flesh  and  blood.  Achel  is  Satan 
incarnate. 

XILONA 

Achel  is  powerful.  All  Yucatan  pays  him  rever- 
ence, and  I  —  I  fear  him,  I  fear  him  much.     Even  the 


XILONA  131 

dead  hear  and  obey  his  voice.      (Enter  Ambassador, 
Astrologer  and  his  suite.) 

[To  Ambassador,  indicating  the  Astrologer.] 

Does  this  wise  man  read  good  or  evil  in  the  oracles 
of  heaven? 

ambassador 

The  stars  have  answered  his  questioning.  Their 
message  is  clear,  and  gives  hope  for  your  father's 
life.  The  gods  of  Anahuac  are  offended  by  the  sac- 
rilegious presence  of  their  enemies  in  Yucatan. 
Your  father  has  sheltered  blasphemers  against  our 
faith,  and  hence  he  is  stricken.  Penance  and  sacri- 
fice are  required  to  appease  the  wrath  provoked 
against  the  land;  otherwise  your  father's  life  is  for- 
feited. 

XILONA 

What  is  to  be  done  ? 

AMBASSADOR 

Your  father  has  ordered  the  sacrifice  of  three 
white  captives  at  dawn. 

ACHEL 

[  Triumphantly.  ] 
Only  thus  will  the  favour  of  the  gods  return  to 
Yucatan  and  Mexico. 

XILONA 

[Starting  and  looking  toward  Geronimo.] 
And  this  man  — ? 


132  XILONA 

AMBASSADOR 

Not  he,  but  three  of  his  companions. 

ACHEL 

Not  he  ?      (Significantly. )      Not  yet ! 

XILONA 

Must  this  sacrifice  be  offered?  Is  there  no  other 
way  ? 

AMBASSADOR 

The  gods  so  will  it;  the  stars  have  answered,  and 
at  dawn  the  captives  die. 

[Exeunt  all,  save  Geronimo  and  Xilona.] 

GERONIMO 

Will  you  permit  this  hideous  massacre  in  the  name 
of  religion?  Shall  my  hapless  companions  thus  die 
in  obedience  to  the  murderous  intrigues  of  these  false 
priests?  The  truth  stirs  your  soul  and  cries  aloud 
to  you.  Oh,  be  heedful  to  its  voice  and  stop  this 
crime. 

XILONA 

[Distressed.] 
But  my  father's  life !     If  it  is  to  be  thus  saved  then 
am  I  powerless  against  this  decree. 

GERONIMO 

Nothing  can  prolong  your  father's  life  an  hour, 
for  he  will  die  before  another  sun  has  set.     This  is  but 


XILONA  133 

a  plot  between  the  Mexicans  and  Achel  to  destroy 
my  companions  —  and  also  me,  could  they  but  com- 
pass it.  Go  you  to  your  father,  plead  with  him ;  get 
this  decree  revoked.  He  does  not  seek  our  death  — 
he  is  overborne  by  the  priests.  {He  kneels  to  her.) 
See!     I  kneel  to  implore  this  mercy. 

XILONA 

When  I  look  upon  your  face  and  hear  your  voice, 
I  can  refuse  you  nothing.  I  care  naught  for  the 
words  of  Montezuma's  astrologer.  My  father's 
spirit  goes  hence  and  I  shall  reign  in  Labna.  You 
have  been  his  prisoner  but  I  will  give  you  liberty,  I 
will  make  you  a  free  man.  Freedom  is  sweet;  it  is 
like  strong  wine  in  the  veins,  it  is  like  the  wondrous 
air  of  high  mountain  tops. 

GERONIMO 

It  is  for  my  countrymen  I  plead;  give  life  and 
freedom  to  them ! 

XILONA 

I  do  not  yet  rule  here.  I  must  beg  my  father  to 
let  them  go  hence;  perhaps  he  will  not  refuse  me. 
And  you,  love's  messenger,  you  will  remain  with  me 
and  together  we  will  teach  my  people  the  pure  re- 
lio-ion  of  olden  times. 


\»v 


GERONIMO 

Save  my  countrymen,  and  I  will  do  all  you  ask. 


134  XILONA       . 

XILONA 

I  ask  you  to  rise  and  stand  by  my  side ;  I  ask  you 
to  cast  off  that  rough  garment  and  drape  your  form 
in  soft  stuffs  woven  in  fair  colours  and  threads  of 
gold.  I  ask  you  to  set  upon  your  hair  a  circle  of 
turquoise  to  match  the  azure  of  your  eyes.  I  ask 
you  to  bind  golden  sandals  on  your  feet,  and  clasp 
their  scarlet  thongs  with  topaz.  I  ask  you  to  sit  be- 
side me  on  my  tiger-throne  of  jade  — 

GERONIMO 

[Interrupting.  ] 
Princess  Xilona,  you  must  not  speak  these  words 
to  me  —  I  may  love  no  woman,  for  I  am  a  priest  for- 
ever and  am  consecrated   to  higher  things.     Name 
not  such  conditions. 

XILONA 

You  have  promised  to  teach  me  love.  You  are  the 
messenger  of  the  god  of  love.  Your  god  and  mine, 
are  they  not  the  same? 

[Exit   into   Prince's    room,    Geronimo   looking 
after  her.] 


Scene  II 

The  next  morning. 

Before  daybreak.     In  the  centre  of  the  stage  is  a 
pyramidal  structure  on  which  stands  the  temple. 


XILONA  135 

Sacred  fires  burn  before  the  arched  entrance, 
through  which  a  great  idol  and  a  stone  of  sacrifice 
are  perceptible.  Background  is  a  city  amidst  a 
tropical  forest  of  palms  and  gorgeous  flowering 
trees,  etc. 

Fra  Geronimo  is  standing  to  one  side,  with  clasped 
hands  in  prayer. 

Enter  Indian  messenger  from  Cortes.  He  unties  a 
letter  carried  in  his  hair  and  gives  it  to  Geronimo. 

MESSENGER 

I  bring  this  from  the  great  captain,  Malinche. 

GERONIMO 

[Reading.'] 

A  letter,  a  Spanish  letter!  A  ship  sent  by  Fer- 
nando Cortes  awaits  us  at  the  river's  mouth  —  lib- 
erty once  more,  and  amongst  my  own  people!  (To 
the  Messenger. )     You  have  a  boat  ? 

MESSENGER 

My  canoe  is  concealed  near  by;  it  will  carry  six 
men.  I  come  from  the  great  ship  where  Malinche 
commands  the  waters  and  the  thunder  and  lightning. 
I  am  ready  to  take  you  there. 

GERONIMO 

One  day  too  late !     Just  heaven !  my  luckless  com- 
panions are  led  to  death  while  I  go  back  to  life! 
[Enter  Guerrero.] 


136  XILONA 

[Calling  him.~\ 
He  at  least  may  be  saved.  (Showing  him  the  let- 
ter. )  A  Spanish  captain  called  Fernando  Cortes  has 
arrived  off  the  coast  with  a  fleet  of  ships  from  Cuba, 
and  sends  his  letter  by  this  Indian,  whose  canoe  will 
take  us  safely  to  the  vessel  that  awaits  us  at  the 
river's  mouth. 

GUERRERO 

[Gloomily.] 
I  will  not  go.  Look  at  me  —  my  tattooed  face  — 
am  I  a  Spaniard?  No,  I  am  Holcan,  a  Maya.  Here 
in  Yucatan  I  command  armies ;  I  have  a  wife  of  the 
ruling  house,  I  have  two  boys  whom  I  love.  Is  it 
better  to  hunger  and  thirst  among  Spaniards  than  to 
feast  on  plenty  with  Mayas? 

GERONIMO 

Spain  is  your  mother  and  Spaniards  are  your 
brethren.  Will  you  forsake  your  Christian  heritage 
to  live  amongst  heathen  cannibals? 

GUERRERO 

I  will  not  go.  A  sorry  mother  was  Spain  to  me; 
my  Spanish  brethren  were  my  masters,  I  their  slave. 
The  first  I  knew  of  liberty,  of  kindness  and  of  love, 
I  learned  here  amongst  these  heathen.  Look  you, 
Fra  Geronimo,  am  I  not  a  husband  and  a  father? 
Neither  religion  nor  nature  counsel  me  to  desert  my 
wife  and  boys.     In  all  the  wide  world,  there  is  no 


XILONA  137 

living  being  who  cares  for  me,  save  only  them.     God 
gave  them  to  me,  and  I  must  keep  them.      I  will  not 

GERONIMO 

Think  on  the  fate  of  our  companions  who  die  at 
dawn  on  Satan's  altar.  Can  you  witness  this  ghastly 
sacrifice  unmoved,  and  still  live  on  amongst  these 
devil-worshippers  who  feed  on  Spaniards'  flesh? 
Neither  your  wife  nor  your  sons  can  you  save  —  for 
they  are  pagans ;  —  come  away  with  me,  to  your  own 
kind,  to  our  country's  service  and  to  our  God. 

GUERRERO 

Go  you,  friar,  if  you  will,  but  I  stay  here.  I  will 
not  be  a  thing  of  mockery  amongst  Spaniards.  And 
ere  we  part  forever,  give  me  a  solemn  pledge.  The 
Spaniards  must  never  know  of  my  existence.  I  am 
no  longer  one  of  them.  You  and  I  have  shared  dan- 
gers together  and  I  have  saved  you  from  death.  Now 
pay  your  debt.  Swear  upon  this  cross  (he  grasps 
the  crucifix  hanging  from  Geronimo's  girdle)  that 
you  will  never  speak  my  name  to  this  Spanish  captain 
and  his  men. 

GERONIMO 

[Sadly.] 
Since  you  will  not  come,  it  is  better  they  should 
never  know.      (He  kisses  the  crucifix.)     I  swear  to 
keep  your  secret.      (To  the  messenger.)     Have  your 
canoe  ready,  and  I  will  join  you  within  an  hour. 


138  XILONA 

[Exit  messenger.  ] 

[The  Prince  if  carried  in  on  his  litter  with 
Xilona  and  Nezehua,  all  his  court  surround- 
ing him.  They  take  their  places.  The  Aztec 
Ambassador  and  his  suite  appear;  at  the  bach 
and  all  around  the  sides  of  tlie  great  pyramid, 
people  group  themselves,  representing  a  large 
crowd,  to  assist  at  the  ceremony.  Several 
minor  priests  are  on  the  pyramid  busy  with 
preparations.  The  great  drum  is  beaten  sol- 
emnly. Fra  Geronimo  remains  alone,  oppo- 
site the  court  group,  at  the  foot  of  the  pyra- 
mid. Sounds  of  chanting  and  religious  music 
of  drums  and  trumpets  are  heard  announcing 
a  procession,  which  comes  on.  It  consists  of 
priests  of  all  grades,  in  their  proper  vestments 
and  carrying  idols,  religious  emblems  and  ban- 
ners; young  men  and  girls  strew  flowers  be- 
fore them.  Finally  Achel,  in  full  pontificals, 
appears,  behind  whom  the  three  Spanish  Cap- 
tives, wearing  garlands  and  led  by  chains  of 
flowers.  Otherwise  they  are  as  naked  as  pub- 
lic prejudice  will  allow.  Achel  mounts  the 
steps  of  the  pyramid  with  great  dignity,  and 
is  received  by  the  waiting  priests  at  the  top. 
Some  ceremonies  with  incensing  of  the  idol, 
etc.,  follow;  after  which  he  advances  to  the  top 
of  the  stairs  and  calls  for  the  victims  to  be 


XILONA  139 

led  up.  Tliese  men  are  two  distinct  types;  the 
-first  is  a  simple,  pious  man  of  the  people ,  a 
sailor.  As  he  passes  Fra  Geronimo,  he  halts 
and  kneels.] 

1st  captive 
[To  Geronimo.] 
Thy  blessing,  friar.  In  distant  Palos  my  mother 
prays  and  waits  for  me,  but  I  shall  never  come. 
(He  takes  a  medal  from  his  neck.)  She  gave  me 
this.  Take  it,  and  some  day,  if  you  may,  give  it  back 
and  tell  her  — (He  breaks  down,  sobbing,  and  is  led 
up  to  the  temple  steps,  disappearing  into  the  arch  of 
the  sanctuary.) 

[The  second  is  a  rough,  devil-may-care  type  of 
fellow;  of  no  family,  with  no  ties,  and  no  re- 
ligion. ] 

GERONIMO 

[Stopping  second  captive.'] 
My  son,  do  you  go  unshriven  to  death? 

2nd  captive 
[Laughing  recklessly.] 
Keep  your  doggerel  for  less  knowing  ones,  friar. 
Unshriven  have  I  lived,  unshriven  I  shall  die.  Spain. 
.  .  .  Oh,  Spain!  Ten  thousand  curses  on  her  and 
on  her  people !  I  was  kidnapped  and  shipped  hither ; 
for  ten  years  I  have  roamed  the  seas  and  islands  of 
this  western  world,  kicked  and  cuffed  and  starved  by 


140  XILONA 

Spaniards.  These  Indians  have  at  least  fattened  me, 
so  now  let  them  eat  me.  No  shrivening  for  me,  friar, 
and  a  plague  on  jou  and  on  your  prayers !  {He 
swaggers  up  the  steps  and  disappears  within.) 

[Last  comes  Olarte,  a  boy  of  eighteen,  and 
Fra  Geronimo's  favourite,  whom  he  has 
trained  and  taught.  He  tries  to  bear  up, 
but  the  sight  of  the  fate  of  the  other  two  has 
unmanned  him.  He  breaks  from  his  leaders 
and  rushes  to  Fra  Geronimo,  throwing  him- 
self at  his  feet,  burying  his  face  in  his  robe 
and  begging  hysterically  for  protection. 

GERONIMO 

My  son,  this  is  the  most  glorious  day  of  all  thy 
brief  life.  It  witnesseth  thy  election  to  a  place  in 
that  noble  army  of  martyrs  whose  blood  has  ever 
been  the  seed  of  the  Church.  From  the  miseries  and 
uncertainties  of  this  poor  world,  thy  spirit  is  now 
called  hence  in  no  ordinary  or  ignoble  manner,  but 
by  a  divine  invitation,  for  which  all  generations  of 
Catholic  men  shall  name  thee  "  blessed."  How  many 
of  thy  companions  hast  thou  seen  end  their  unprofit- 
able lives  obscurely,  even  without  the  last  conso- 
lations of  our  holy  religion  to  purge  their  souls  from 
the  stains  of  their  crimes?  How  many  furnished 
food  for  the  monsters  of  the  sea?  How  many  were 
torn  and  devoured  by  beasts  and  birds  of  prey? 
How  many  have  perished  miserably   of  fevers   and 


XILONA  141 

wasting  diseases?      (He  raises   Olarte   to   his  feet 
and  stands  him  apart;  then,  falling  on  his  knees  be- 
fore him.)      Hail,  Christian  martyr!     Pour  out  thy 
young  blood  joyously  and  generously  upon  the  pagan 
soil  of  this  new  world  from  which  millions  of  wit- 
nesses to  our  holy  faith  shall  spring  —  a  rich  har- 
vest from  thy  fruitful  seed,  nobly  sown!     Through 
thy  sacrifice  to-day  is  the  power  of  the  demon  shat- 
tered in  this  land,  and  yonder  blood-stained  shrine 
of  Satan  transformed  into  the  pearly  gates  of  para- 
dise!    I  see  upon  thy  brow  the  sacred  sign  of  God's 
chosen   ones   and   about   thy  young  head  burns  the 
radiant  nimbus  of  His  Saints.     Bless  me,  His  un- 
worthy servant,  ere  thou  goest  hence  to  wear  the 
martyr's  crown,  for  thou  art  chosen  and  I  am  left! 
[Olarte    bends    forward    and    embraces    him; 
then,  with  his  face  radiant  and  full  of  enthu- 
siasm, he  steps  forward  alertly,  quickly  as- 
cends tlie  steps  and,  on  reaching  the  top,  he 
turns,  signs  himself,  stretches  aloft  his  arms 
and  cries  — ] 

OLARTE 

The  blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  Church. 
[He  disappears  into  the  temple  and  is  sacri- 
ficed. ] 
[Enter  Cortes'  Indian  Messenger,  approaching 
Fra  Geronimo  and  speaking  to  him  aside.] 


142  XILONA 

MESSENGER 

My  boat  is  ready  and  it  is  now  time ;  for  before  the 
sun  marks  noon  we  must  be  out  at  sea.  Come  away 
quickly  while  all  here  are  engaged  in  the  sacrifice.  I 
shall  await  thee  in  the  ceiba  grove. 

[Fra  Geronimo  nods  assent.  Exit  Messen- 
ger.] 

[Achel  emerges  from  the  sanctuary,  bearing 
a  golden  salver,  on  which  are  three  smoking 
hearts.  He  solemnly  elevates  them  towards 
the  rising  sun  with  hieratic  gesture.  All 
(save  Geronimo)  fall  on  their  knees;  clouds 
of  incense  salute  the  elevation;  also  chant- 
ing and  the  sound  of  the  great  drum.  The 
stage  is  now  bathed  in  brilliant  light,  with 
cloud  effects  of  dawn.~\ 

[Pronouncing  in  chant  tones  the  prayer  of  the 
offertory.] 

ACHEL 

Oh,  almighty  creator  of  all  things,  by  whose  provi- 
dence we  are  sustained  and  preserved,  and  who  givest 
life  unto  mankind,  grant  unto  us  thy  servants  out  of 
thy  singular  bounty  all  our  needs,  that  we  may  en- 
joy thy  clemency,  sweetness  and  love;  have  mercy 
upon  us  and  open  the  hands  of  thy  pity  above  us. 
Thou  who  art  all  powerful  to  destroy  the  heavens 


XILONA  143 

and  the  earth,  look  down  in  mercy  upon  these,  thy 
people,  and  vouchsafe  to  accept  their  sacrifice  and 
to  lead  them  by  ways  of  purity  and  penance  unto 
life  everlasting. 

[He   descends    the   steps,   accompanied   by   the 
Priests    who    support    his    robes,    and    ap- 
proaches first  the  Prince,  whose  attendants 
carefully  raise  him  upon  his  litter. 
All  merciful  God,  who  knowest  the  secrets  of  all 
hearts,  consider  not,  we  beseech  thee,  the  sins  of  thy 
people  by  which,  in  the  weakness  of  their  flesh  and 
will,  they  have  offended  thee  and  merited  thy  punish- 
ment, but   rather  accept  their  tears  of  repentance 
and  let   thy   pardon   descend   upon   them  like  sweet 
waters  rained  from  heaven  to  wash  away  the  stains 
of  their  sins.      (Givkig  him  the  flesh.)     Receive  this 
the  very  true  flesh  of  our  God  for  the  healing  of  thy 
soul  unto  the  life  everlasting. 

[A  small  piece  is  administered  to  the  Prince, 
whose  head  droops  and  rolls  weakly;  next  to 
Xilona,  who  hesitates,  shows  some  repug- 
nance, but  receives  it  finally  on  her  tongue. 
Fra  Geronimo  has  watched  her  with  sup- 
pressed excitement,  striving  almost  to  hyp~ 
notise  her.] 

GERONIMO 

The  curse  of  Rome  upon  your  soul  for  all  eter- 
nity!    For  this  filthy  travesty  of  a  holy  rite,  shall 


144  XILONA 

you  pay  the  price,  Princess  of  Labna !  Like  Jezebel 
of  old,  whose  blood  was  lapped  by  dogs,  shall  you  be 
brought  low;  for  as  you  have  fed  on  human  flesh,  so 
shall  your  body  furnish  food  for  vultures. 

[Xilona  shrinks  and  cowers  as  she  hears  this 
prophecy.     Achel  has  meanwhile  approached 
Guerrero,  who  kneels  with  the  others,  but 
just  as  he  is  about  giving  him  the  communion 
Fra  Geronimo  rushes  forward  in  a  frenzy  of 
indignation,  dashes  the  golden  salver  to  the 
ground  and,  standing  menacingly  over  Guer- 
rero, cries,  ] 
Oh,  what  monstrous  and  inhuman  sacrilege  do  my 
eyes   behold !     Thou   foul   and  loathsome   beast,   by 
what  devil  begot  and  in  what  vile  slime  wast  thou 
spawned  to  feed  upon  the  flesh  of  thy  fellow  men! 
I  knew  thee  for  a  traitor  and  a  renegade!     I  sus- 
pected thee  for  an  apostate,  but  not  while  I  stand 
here  shalt  thou  become  a  cannibal.     A  lower  circle  is 
to-day  created  in  nethermost  hell  to  house  thy  un- 
natural soul  —     Go  hence  and  tenant  it ! 

[He  strikes  Guerrero  to  the  earth.  Great 
outcries  and  confusion  follow.  The  Prince 
dies,  and  Fra  Geronimo  rushes  off  after  the 
messenger.'] 

CURTAIN 


ACT  II 


ACT  II 

Time,  two  months  later.     At  sunset. 

Scene  I 

Xilona  ;  Nezehua  ;  Achel. 

TJie  garden  of  the  palace  at  Labna.  Tropical  foli- 
age, orchids,  flowering  creepers,  etc.,  amidst  which 
are  perceived  one  or  two  cliar act eristic  images  of 
gods  richly  carved;  pyramids  and  towers  of  the 
city  seen  beyond  the  garden  wall.  To  the  left 
front  is  a  marble  seat,  over  which  a  rich  canopy, 
like  a  huge  parasol,  is  suspended  from  a  bough;  on 
the  ground  before  the  seat  are  spread  leopard 
skins,  and  part  of  a  fountain  basin  is  seen,  in 
which  are  swans,  and  rose-coloured  Hammgoes. 
The  Attendants,  two  or  three  women  and  young 
pages,  are  grouped  at  some  distance  in  the  back- 
ground at  the  right. 

Xilona  is  seated  under  the  canopy,  reading  a  book. 
Nezehua,  seated  on  a  leopard  skin,  embroiders. 

NEZEHUA 

Listen  to  the  song  of  the  coyol-bird.     Now  I  won- 
der what  he  says. 

147 


148  XILONA 

XILONA 

That  golden-throated  coyol-bird  tells  me  each  day 
what  flower  has  bloomed  in  my  garden  for  my  de- 
light. He  is  the  voice  of  the  flowers,  for  the  flowers 
cannot  speak  to  us  —  they  only  whisper  to  one  an- 
other. 

NEZEHUA 

Is  he  not  rather  the  voice  of  love? 

XILONA 

[Impatiently.] 
I  do  not  think  of  love. 

NEZEHUA 

No?  But  is  it  not  at  sunset  you  are  to  see  Xico- 
tencal  and  fix  your  marriage  day? 

XILONA 

It  is  not  yet  sunset,  and  I  don't  want  to  talk  about 
that.     Marriage  does  not  interest  me. 

NEZEHUA 

A  wise  woman  interests  herself  in  the  inevitable  — 
at  least  to  the  extent  of  preparing  for  it.  Achel  has 
surely  made  you  understand  that  your  marriage  is 
inevitable  ? 

XILONA 

What  does  Achel  know  about  marriage  —  or  — 
or  love?     He  has  never  loved  anybody,  not  even  him- 


XILONA  149 

self.     Achel  is  not  a  man  —  he  is  a  power.      (She 
reads. ) 

NEZEHUA 

Why  do  you  weary  your  eyes  over  that  ancient 
writing,  Xilona?  It  seems  to  bring  you  no  comfort, 
but  great  disquiet.     It  must  be  poetry. 

XILONA 

No,  it  is  not  poetry  —  it  is  prophecy.  There  are 
many  wonderful  things  written  in  this  book  —  things 
our  people  no  longer  know  and  which  the  priests 
keep  from  them.  In  those  early  days  when  our  fore- 
fathers built  the  great  Maya  cities,  our  altars  were 
unstained  by  human  blood.  There  is  a  prophecy  in 
this  book,  which  says  that  those  times  shall  return 
once  more  and  the  pure  worship  of  one  supreme  god 
be  established  again  by  men  who,  like  our  first  an- 
cestors, should  come  from  the  rising  sun.  Listen. 
(She  reads  from  the  book.)  "And  Quetzalcoatl 
prophesying  said:  Because  this  people  is  not  wor- 
thy to  receive  my  message,  I  go  hence  to  my  master 
in  the  land  of  Tlapallan,  but  my  followers,  like  unto 
me,  shall  hereafter  come  and  smite  this  perverse  na- 
tion and  destroy  it.  They  shall  overturn  its  altars, 
polluted  with  human  blood,  and  restore  the  religion 
I  have  taught." 

NEZEHUA 

It  sounds  quite  revolutionary,  and  I  hope  it  won't 


150  XILONA 

happen  in  my  time.  It  is  not  well  for  women  to  tor- 
ment their  minds  about  such  matters.  The  inter- 
pretation of  prophecies  is  for  the  priests  —  not  for 
us. 

XILONA 

I  am  not  only  a  woman,  I  am  also  a  princess. 

NEZEHUA 

The  government  of  your  state  is  surely  care 
enough,  without  prying  into  prophecies. 

XILONA 

I  believe  the  hour  of  their  fulfilment  is  at  hand. 
Men  have  come  to  us  from  beyond  the  rising  sun: 
men  like  gods,  who  teach  the  very  things  the  prophe- 
cies foretell.  Never  shall  I  forget  that  morning  at 
the  temple!  That  youth,  who  seemed  to  rise  like  a 
spirit  of  the  dawn,  on  wings  of  light,  upon  whose 
head  there  rested  a  radiance  not  of  this  world.  And 
Geronimo,  the  captive  priest,  how  he  burst  into  the 
ceremony  and,  with  magnificent  fury,  struck  Holcan 
to  the  earth!     He  seemed  a  sun-god. 

NEZEHUA 

Yes,  and  cursed  you  before  all  the  people,  the  in- 
solent vagabond!  Call  you  that  the  fulfilment  of 
prophecies  ? 

XILONA 

Yes,  he  cursed  me  and  said  —  oh,  what  horrible 


XILONA  151 

things  he  said  to  me !  Will  they  come  true  ?  Neze- 
hua,  do  you  think  the  horrible  things  he  said  will 
come  true?     Is  he  a  prophet? 

NEZEHUA 

I  have  heard  too  many  prophets  rave  to  have  much 
faith  in  them.  It  is  best  not  to  listen  to  prophets, 
for  they  always  say  uncomfortable  things.  Things 
that  are  quite  wild  and  better  not  heard. 

XILONA 

But  the  vultures !  the  black  vultures  that  are  to 
tear  my  flesh !  I  seem  to  hear  the  rush  of  their 
wings  over  my  head,  and  when  a  shadow  falls  across 
my  path,  I  am  startled  and  look  to  see  those  birds  of 
evil  hovering  above  me.  Three  times  have  I  dreamed 
I  lay  as  a  dead  woman  lies  —  white  and  cold,  with 
glassy,  staring  eyes  —  but  eyes  that  could  see  — 
could  see  the  great  black  bird  with  outstretched 
wings,  dropping  silently  like  a  pall  upon  my  body  — 
I  could  see  but  could  not  c^  out.  Almost  I  felt  the 
beak  dig  into  my  heart!  Ah,  Nezehua,  will  this 
come  true? 

NEZEHUA 

[Comforting  her.~\ 
No,  no,  my  sweet.     How  can  such  cruel  sayings 
come  true  ?     Oh,  could  I  but  put  my  hands  upon  that 
man    Geronimo !     I    always    knew    some    evil    would 


159.  XILONA 

come  of  his  presence  amongst  us,  and  I  begged  your 
father  to  get  rid  of  him. 

XILONA 

I  have  tried  to  hate  him,  but  I  cannot.  His  wrath 
was  divine,  and  so  exalted  his  beauty  I  could  have 
thrown  myself  at  his  feet  before  everybody.  But  I 
ought  to  hate  him  —  I  will  hate  him,  for  he  has  gone 
and  left  me  with  no  one  to  guide  me,  just  when  I  most 
need  him. 

NEZEHUA 

No  one  to  guide  you!  Why,  child,  what  do  you 
say?     Achel  is  with  you. 

XILONA 

[Wearily.'] 
Achel !     Achel !     I   have   come   to   fear  him.     Do 
you  think  Achel  is  a  good  man? 

NEZEHUA 

I  don't  know  about  him  being  a  good  man  —  he  is 
a  good  priest. 

XILONA 

He  wields  a  power  over  me  I  cannot  fathom,  and 
he  sways  my  will  by  the  glance  of  his  piercing  eyes. 
He  seems  to  read  my  very  soul ;  while  in  his  presence 
all  my  thoughts  scatter  like  dead  leaves  before  the 
breath  of  a  hot  wind.  Do  you  know?  —  he  sees 
things  that  happen  far  away  and  he  hears  voices  to 


XILONA  153 

which  we  are  deaf.  By  power  of  magic  he  can  con- 
trol the  elements,  raise  tempests,  blight  crops,  be- 
witch men's  wits  and  foretell  the  future.  When  he 
speaks,  all  obey  —  aye,  even  the  dead  must  come 
when  he  summons  them. 

NEZEHUA 

Well,  that  is  his  business,  for  he  is  a  priest,  and 
all  the  more  reason  why  you  should  keep  him  for 
your  friend.  But  I  don't  like  this  calling  back  the 
dead,  and  if  I  were  you  I  would  make  a  law  forbid- 
ding it.  Just  think  if  this  practice  became  general! 
See!  We  speak  of  him,  and  here  he  is.  (Indicating 
the  garden  entrance.) 

[Enter  Achel  by  the  garden  door.] 

ACHEL 

[Saluting.] 
Outside  the  gates   of  your  fragrant  bower  there 
paces    with    restless    tread   your    lover,    Xicotencal. 
To-day    at    sunset    you    promised    him    his    answer. 
Shall  he  enter? 

XILONA 

[Sighing.] 
It  is  not  yet  sunset.      I  like  him  well,  Xicotencal 
—  and  yet  —     Oh,  I  don't  want  to  talk  about  mar- 
riage. 

ACHEL 

Where  amongst  the  peoples   of  Yucatan  and  all 


154  XILONA 

Anahuac  will  you  find  his  peer?  Is  he  not  the  no- 
blest formed  amongst  men?  His  lithe,  sun-kissed 
body  is  like  the  silken  flanks  of  the  deer;  his  raven 
hair  falls  like  a  mantle  of  night  above  his  noble  brow, 
and  his  eyes,  now  tender  as  the  gentle  doe's,  now 
flashing  as  the  eagle's  piercing  orb,  are  fit  to  woo  a 
queen  or  rule  a  nation.  He  is  a  fit  mate  for  any 
princess  living.  In  war,  he  is  the  leader  of  his  peo- 
ple; in  peace,  their  trusted  counsellor. 

XILONA 

You  have  not  half  numbered  his  qualities  and  yet 
you  weary  me.  I  know  he  is  a  great  warrior  who 
only  lacks  a  crown  to  be  a  king. 

ACHEL 

You  have  the  crown,  and  your  people  cry  for  a 
king.  Alone  you  cannot  rule.  The  nation  has 
bowed  to  your  dead  father's  behest  and  placed  his 
crown  upon  your  brow;  be  you  likewise  obedient  to 
his  will,  and  take  the  husband  he  destined  for  you. 

XILONA 

But  is  there  need  for  haste?  I  am  very  young; 
but  a  few  weeks  have  passed  since  my  father's  death. 
I  am  all  disturbed,  overwrought  and  ill  at  ease.  I 
cannot  think  of  marriage. 

ACHEL 

[Sternly.  ] 
Great  need  is  there  for  haste.     There  is  a  busy 


XILONA  155 

ferment  throughout  the  empire  of  the  Aztecs.  The 
Castilian  invaders  advance  despite  Montezuma's  pro- 
hibition ;  traitorous  vassals  and  unfaithful  allies  se- 
cretly abet  Malinche.  Shall  we  in  Yucatan  sit  su- 
pinely by  and  see  our  kinsmen  conquered  and 
enslaved  by  these  sacrilegious  strangers?  The  re- 
public of  Tlaxcala  has  not  yet  declared  itself,  and 
the  3roung  general  Xicotencal  comes  not  only  as  your 
bridegroom  to  claim  your  hand,  but  likewise  as  an 
ambassador  from  the  regents  of  the  republic  to  so- 
licit your  alliance.  The  fate  of  Yucatan,  of  Tlax- 
cala —  nay,  even  of  great  Mexico  itself,  hangs  in  the 
balance  your  untried  hand  sustains.  Dally  no 
longer;  accept  his  proffered  love;  cement  this  alli- 
ance with  the  republic  and  send  your  enemies  under 
Xicotencal's  command  to  fight  the  battles  of  Tlax- 
cala and  Mexico. 

XILONA 

[Shrmkmgly.~\ 
Indeed,  I  would  fain  obey  you  in  this  —  but  I  find 
no  love  in  my  heart  for  the  gallant  Xicotencal. 

ACHEL 

Perhaps  no  room  is  left  there  for  him  since  a 
stranger  has  forestalled  him.  Love  is  sometimes 
sweet  but  oft-times  bitter.  The  maid  who  gives  her 
love  unsought  is  like  to  be  no  wife  and  may  be  less 
than  maid.  Does  it  become  the  Princess  of  Labna 
to  fix  her  eyes  upon  her  father's  captive? 


156  XILONA 

XILONA 

[Protestingly.] 
I  protest,  Achel ;  I  have  no  fancy  for  the  captive. 
His  doctrines  pleased  me. 

ACHEL 

Oh,  'twas  doctrine  that  pleased  you !  He  taught 
the  brotherhood  of  man  and  talked  of  love  and  other 
things,  rare  and  wondrous.  He  would  overturn  our 
altars  and  banish  our  gods  to  make  way  for  his  own, 
while  we,  the  priests  of  the  ancient  Maya  cult,  must 
stand  down  and  bend  beneath  the  authority  of  his 
omnipotent  pope  in  a  distant  place  called  Rome. 
But  while  he  preaches  mercy,  his  countrymen  practise 
murder;  while  he  proclaims  brotherhood,  they  rav- 
age provinces.  Neither  the  cruel  oscelots  in  our  for- 
ests nor  the  ravenous  sharks  in  our  waters  are  more 
fierce  than  these  monsters.  Doctrine,  Princess ! 
When  the  preacher  is  winsome,  the  doctrine  is  sure 
to  be  orthodox  —  for  women.  In  all  our  Maya 
land,  no  eyes  are  blue  like  his.  'Twas  in  them  you 
read  the  doctrine ;  but  they  burned  with  no  lovelight 
for  you.  (With  great  emphasis.)  He  cursed  you. 
He  broke  with  sacrilegious  yells  into  the  most  sa- 
cred, public  rites  of  our  religion  and  laid  impious 
hands  upon  the  sacrifice  consecrated  to  our  coun- 
try's gods.  He  consigned  your  soul  to  eternal  per- 
dition and  gave  your  body  to  be  food  for  vultures. 
Strange  wooing !     Look  you,  Princess  Xilona,  this 


XILONA  157 

man,  come  hither  from  we  know  not  whence,  was  shel- 
tered and  honoured  by  your  dead  father,  whose  life 
he  shortened;  he  has  outraged  the  sacred  rites  of 
hospitality ;  moreover,  being  a  priest  of  his  religion, 
he  is  consecrated  to  his  gods  and  may  take  no  wife. 
He  has  no  eyes  for  women.  He  scorned  your  prof- 
fered love.  Now  he  marches  with  Malinche  to  Mex- 
ico. Crush  them  both,  and  be  revenged  for  the  out- 
rage he  has  put  upon  you.  Are  you  so  little  a 
woman  or  so  poor  a  princess  to  be  thus  publicly 
flouted? 

NEZEHUA 

You,  a  Princess  of  Yucatan,  to  be  scorned  by  such 
a  man!  A  priest!  indeed.  His  place  is  beneath 
your  feet  —  put  him  there. 

XILONA 

[Whose  indignation  has  mounted.] 
It  is  sunset.      Call  the  General  Xicotencal.     It  is 
sunset ! 

[Exeunt  Nezehua  and  Attendants.] 

ACHEL 

[Aside.']  - 

Thus  have  I  sown  the  seed  that  in  due  time  shall 
yield  the  harvest  I  would  reap. 
[Exit.] 


158  XILONA 

Scene  II 
The  same. 

Princess  Xilona  and  General  Xicotencal. 
Enter  Xicotencal  through  the  garden  door. 

XICOTENCAL. 

The  laggard  sun  has  gone  to  rest;  his  dying  rays 
light  this  vision  on  which  my  envious  eyes  now  feast. 
His  day  is  done,  and  my  day  begins.  Xilona,  my 
princess !  My  bride !  Never  till  this  hour  did  I 
fully  know  thy  wondrous  beauty.      {He  kneels.) 

XILONA 

Rise,  Xicotencal.  The  sun  has  set,  and  I  must 
keep  my  promise.  It  was  my  father's  will  that  I 
should  take  you  for  my  husband  and  my  people  also 
desire  our  union.     I  think  you  love  me  well? 

XICOTENCAL 

How  shall  I  convince  you?  What  other  than  love 
can  I  offer  to  you  who  possess  all?  I  have  a  glori- 
ous pearl  from  Cubagua  that  is  like  a  pallid  rosebud 
touched  by  a  silver  moonbeam.  It  cost  a  man's  life, 
for  it  was  taken  from  the  clenched  hand  of  a  diver 
who  never  rose  from  the  caves  of  the  sea  where  he 
ravished  it  from  the  jealous  goddess  who  rules  in  the 
cerulean  realm  of  the  fishes.  In  your  dark  hair  it 
will  gleam  like  the  moon  of  love.  In  the  north  coun- 
try beyond  the  mountains,  men  find  opals  that  flash 


XILONA  159 

and  burn  with  mysterious  fires ;  they  shall  drape 
your  body  like  garlands  of  stars.  I  will  bring  a 
mantle  of  humming-birds'  feathers,  imperial  green, 
celestial  blue,  clasped  with  turquoise;  and  emeralds 
from  far  Peru,  equal  to  Montezuma's  crown  jewels, 
shall  blaze  above  your  brow. 

XILONA 

These  things  do  not  tempt  me,  for  love  alone  is  the 
irresistible  tempter,  and  he  does  not  speak  to  me;  I 
do  not  know  his  language. 

XICOTENCAL 

Your  virgin  heart  is  silent  —  and  I  would  have  it 
so.  Let  me,  who  love  you  as  never  man  loved  before, 
teach  you  his  language.  Let  mine  be  the  voice  to 
first  awaken  the  echoes  of  love  in  the  chaste  silences 
of  your  heart.  Such  love  as  you  have  kindled  in  my 
soul  must  beget  a  kindred  flame  in  yours.  We  two 
are  destined  to  be  mated  as  royal  eagles  mate. 

XILONA 

Almost  you  persuade  me  —  and  yet  —  and  yet  — ! 
What  does  love  mean  to  men?  Ardent  always,  but 
faithful  never,  so  I  am  told. 

XICOTENCAL 

To  me,  love  is  life.  Some  men  seek  wisdom,  but 
love  is  more  precious  than  knowledge;  some  seek 
wealth,  but  love  is   above  riches ;  others   strive  for 


160  XILONA 

glory,  but  fame  without  love  is  barren.  In  my  life 
I  have  seen  men  pursue  follies ;  I  have  seen  the  good 
and  the  evil  men  do  —  I  have  seen  and  praised,  or  I 
have  beheld  and  pitied,  but  until  my  love  for  you  was 
born  I  knew  only  the  love  of  my  country ;  now  these 
two  are  welded  into  one, —  linked  indissolubly  and 
forever.  It  is  from  love  alone  I  seek  the  great  re- 
ward. Do  you  give  it  me  and  bid  me  live?  Or  do 
you  deny  it  and  bid  me  die? 

XILONA 

Nay,  Xicotencal,  I  would  not  have  you  die.  I 
am  sore  perplexed,  for  I  am  alone  and  weighted  with 
grave  cares  and  the  burden  of  fateful  decisions. 
You  are  strong  and  I  need  strength;  you  are  wise 
and  I  need  counsel.     Ah!  would  you  be  kind  to  me? 

XICOTENCAL 

Kind  as  heaven's  rain  to  mother  earth;  kind  as 
summer's  dew  to  thirsty  flowers !  Let  me  bear  your 
burdens ;  lean  on  my  strength,  believe  in  my  love  and 
all  will  be  well.     Be  my  wife. 

XILONA 

I  do  believe  you,  but  I  will  not  bind  myself  —  not 
now.  There  are  also  other  things  about  which  we 
must  talk.  You  bring  a  message  from  the  regents 
of  your   country   asking  the   alliance   of  my   state. 


XILONA  161 

Achel  tells  me  that  this  means  our  forces  shall  join 
with  the  Mexicans  under  Montezuma  to  fight  the 
Spanish  captain,  Malinche. 

XICOTENCAL 

Such  is  my  hope,  but  the  pact  with  Montezuma  is 
not  yet  made,  though  I  would  see  it  concluded. 
There  are  two  parties  in  Tlaxcala,  one  favouring 
Montezuma;  the  other,  animated  by  hatred,  would 
make  an  alliance  with  Malinche,  who  is  thought  to  be 
a  god,  in  the  hope  of  marching  to  Mexico  and  tak- 
ing vengeance  on  Montezuma  for  his  past  cruelties  to 
us.  These  men  are  deceived,  for  Malinche  is  no  god, 
nor  are  his  men  immortal.  I  have  seen  them  fall  in 
battle.  True  it  is,  Montezuma  has  ever  been  the 
bitterest  enemy  of  my  country,  but  in  the  face  of 
this  common  peril  our  past  dissensions  should  be  for- 
gotten and  we  should  all  unite  to  destroy  these  for- 
eign invaders.  Give  us  your  alliance  and  your  voice 
will  tip  the  scale.  We  will  save  Montezuma's  crown 
and  empire  and  earn  his  undying  gratitude.  We 
may  claim  a  great  reward. 

XILONA 

Montezuma  was  my  father's  friend,  and  I  am  not 
forgetful.  There  is  amongst  these  Spaniards  a  cer- 
tain man  who  dwelt  here  for  six  years  as  my  father's 
captive,  though  greatly  favoured  and  honoured  by 


162  XILONA 

him.     He  is,  they  tell  me,  a  priest  of  his  religion. 
His  name  is  Geronimo. 

XICOTENCAL 

Geronimo !  I  know  him  well,  for  he  is  the  tongue 
by  which  Malinche  speaks,  since  he  knows  our  lan- 
guage. He  it  is  who  most  plays  upon  our  people's 
superstitious  fears  and  would  persuade  them  that 
Malinche  comes  from  the  god  Quetxalcoatl  and  that 
he  is  invincible;  he  tells  them  the  Spaniards  come  to 
give  them  revenge  for  the  tyrannies  of  Montezuma 
and  to  liberate  the  peoples  of  Mexico  from  the  em- 
pire of  fear.  He  preaches  of  a  god  whose  name  is 
love,  but  he  lives  by  a  god  whose  name  is  wrath. 

XILONA 

111  did  Geronimo  requite  my  father's  kindness. 
Xicotencal,  this  man  insulted  me.  Before  all  the 
people,  at  the  hour  of  sacrifice,  he  cursed  me  and 
blasphemed  our  gods. 

XICOTENCAL 

He  shall  die  t     I  swear  he  shall  die  by  my  hand. 

XILONA 

Oh,  I  don't  know !  Perhaps  not  die  —  but  he 
must  be  humbled.  I  would  see  him  at  my  feet  —  a 
suppliant  for  mercy  from  the  woman  he  scorned, 
from  the  princess  he  outraged!     Shall  my  crown  en- 


XILONA  163 

dure    his     insults  ?     Revenge  —  revenge !    it    is    my 
right !     I  would  have  revenge  ! 

XICOTENCAL 

Your  right  is  sacred,  and  revenge  shall  be  yours. 
Give  me  the  right  to  fight  for  you,  and  I  will  bring 
this  insolent  blasphemer,  bound,  to  your  feet.  You 
shall  dispose  of  him  as  you  will,  for  he  shall  be  your 
slave.     Give  me  this  right. 

XILONA 

Do  this,  and  I  will  be  your  wife. 

XICOTENCAL 

[Seeking  to  embrace  her.] 
My  bride !     My  queen ! 

XILONA 

[Repulsing  him  gently.] 
Not  yet,  Xicotencal.  Bear  first  my  answer  to 
Tlaxcala,  and  conclude  the  pact  with  Montezuma. 
When  Malinche  is  conquered  and  Geronimo  is  a  slave 
at  my  feet,  then  will  I  redeem  my  promise.  I  will  be 
yours. 

XICOTENCAL 

[Exultantly.] 
I  laugh  at  such  small  conditions !     I  fear  not  Ma- 
linche.    Your  desire  shall  be  fulfilled,  for  love  shall 
strengthen  my  arm  and  guide  the  flight  of  my  jave- 
lins.    Each  blow  I  strike  for  Tlaxcala  and  Mexico 


164  XILONA 

shall  be  struck  for  you  and  bring  me  a  step  nearer 
to  you.  See!  (Pointing  to  the  rising  moon.)  The 
pale  queen  of  night  hears  and  registers  my  vow ! 
She  rides  silently  through  the  silvered  heavens, 
quenching  the  light  of  lesser  stars  as  does  the  radi- 
ance of  your  beauty  outshine  the  charms  of  the  fair- 
est women  around  your  throne.  Come  with  me  to- 
morrow to  Tlaxcala  and  there  set  your  seal  upon 
the  pact  you  have  made  to-night.  The  regents  await 
your  answer:  give  it  them  with  your  own  lips.  To 
your  beauty  and  to  my  strength  belongs  the  world. 
A  greater  crown  than  that  of  Labna  awaits  you  be- 
yond the  mountains.  Come !  Banish  care  and  let 
us  rejoice  together.  Let  me  lead  you  to  Tlaxcala 
and  to  Mexico. 

XILONA 

[Pensively,  giving  him  her  hand.'] 
To  Tlaxcala  and  to  Mexico. 
[Exeunt.] 

Scene  III 
The  next  day. 

XlCOTENCAL,  ACHEL,  XlLONA,  Tl.AXCALAN  SENA- 
TOR, Guerrero. 

A  terrace  before  the  palace,  approached  by  several 
stone  steps.  A  long,  low  facade  of  stone  extends 
across  the  stage;  a  centre  doorzvay  onto  the  ter- 


XILONA  165 

race:  some  carved  -figures  of  gods:  right  and  left, 
tropical  foliage  framing  the  scene. 

XICOTENCAL, 

[To  Senator.] 
The  tidings  you  bring  me  from  Tlaxcala  are  both 
tardy  and  inopportune.  Only  yesterday  I  concluded 
a  pact  with  the  Princess  of  Labna,  who  promised  her 
troops  under  Holcan's  leadership  to  join  our  forces 
in  opposing  Malinche's  advance.  The  Senate  should 
have  awaited  my  messenger. 

senator 
The  Senate  was  at  first  divided,  leaning  rather  to- 
wards  an  alliance  with  Montezuma,  but  the  party 
hostile   to   Mexico,  led  by   the   regent  Maxixcatzin, 
won. 

[Enter  Achel.] 

ACHEL 

I  have  told  the  news  to  Princess  Xilona.  She 
comes  hither. 

XICOTENCAL 

And  my  father  —  how  did  he  vote? 

SENATOR 

For  the  alliance  with  Malinchc.  He  does  not 
trust  the  promises  of  Montezuma,  nor  can  our  people 
forget  the  Aztec's  perfidy.  The  smooth  speeches  of 
his  ambassador  fell  on  unbelieving  ears. 


166  XILONA 

[Enter  Xilona,  accompanied  by  Guerrero. 
She  is  preceded  by  Attendants,  who  place  a 
chair  for  her  and  withdraw.] 

XICOTENCAL 

Princess  Xilona,  this  member  of  my  country's  Sen- 
ate brings  important  news  from  Tlaxcala. 

XILONA 

Achel  has  told  me  its  import,  but  I  would  hear 
more  of  what  passed  in  the  Senate. 

XICOTENCAL 

[To  Senator.] 
Rehearse  your  story. 

senator 
Five  days  ago,  appeared  before  the  assembled  sen- 
ators an  embassy  from  Montezuma  to  solicit  Tlax- 
cala's  alliance  against  the  Spaniards  under  the  cap- 
tain Malinche.  The  spokesman  of  the  embassy 
promised  perpetual  amity  and  Montezuma's  favour; 
he  saluted  Tlaxcalans  as  blood-brothers  of  his  peo- 
ple and  exhorted  them  to  forget  past  dissensions,  to 
stand  with  their  Aztec  kinsmen  against  the  infidel  in- 
vaders. 

ACHEL 

So  should  they  do. 


XILONA  167 

SENATOR 

Almost  he  did  persuade  them,  but  when  he  with- 
drew to  await  the  Senate's  answer  there  came  Ma- 
linche's  envoy,  a  Christian  priest,  Geronimo,  accom- 
panied by  an  Aztec  woman,  who  speaks  many 
tongues. 

XILONA 

A  woman!      (To  Achel.)     Who  is  this  woman? 

ACHEL 

The  traitress  Marina,  a  name  henceforth  infa- 
mous, for  she  is  a  harlot  who  has  sold  herself  and  her 
country  to  Malinche,  under  whose  protection  she  pa- 
rades her  shame. 

XILONA 

[To  Senator.] 
Is  this  woman  Marina  beautiful? 

senator 

[Hands  her  a  painted  cloth  with  picture  writ- 
ing.] 
Here  is  her  likeness  and  that  of  Malinche. 

XILONA 

I  like  not  her  face.  Her  nose  is  flat  and  —  yes, 
by  the  gods,  she  has  a  squint. 


168  XILONA 

ACHEL 

[Impatiently.] 

These  things  are  unimportant.  What  spake  Ma- 
linche's   envoy? 

SENATOR 

He  pronounced  a  well-considered  speech,  offering 
the  senators  their  choice  between  peace  or  war  with 
Malinche,  between  certain  destruction  and  sure  vic- 
tory over  our  ancient,  hereditary  foe,  Montezuma. 
His  words  were  drunk  by  eager  ears,  for  our  people 
hunger  to  possess  the  Aztecs'  lands  and  our  warriors 
already  savour  the  taste  of  their  blood. 

ACHEL 

Fools !  To  be  beguiled  by  fair  words  from  the 
pale-faced  strangers  who  only  seek  to  gain  a  foot- 
hold in  the  country  to  enslave  its  peoples.  Let  the 
nations  unite  to  sweep  these  vermin  back  into  the 
eastern  sea  that  cast  them  in  an  unlucky  hour  upon 
these  coasts. 

SENATOR 

It  is  too  late.  Tlaxcala  is  pledged  to  the  Span- 
iards. The  day  of  vengeance  upon  Montezuma  has 
dawned;  wise  men  read  portents  in  the  heavens  and 
throughout  our  land  there  echoes  but  one  cry:  to 
Mexico!  to  Mexico!  The  Senate's  vote  is  cast. 
[Exit  Senator.] 


XILONA  169 

XICOTENCAL 

[Smarting  under  the  regent's  rebuke.] 
By  this  vote  of  the  Senate  our  plans  are  undone. 

XILONA 

Have  I  pledged  my  alliance  to  Tlaxcala  to  profit 
those  I  would  rather  destroy?  Montezuma  was  ever 
my  father's  friend  and  Mexico  our  ally.  My  troops 
shall  not  fight  against  him. 

ACHEL 

We  may  yet  turn  their  adverse  decision  to  our 
purpose.  Listen  to  me.  The  Princess  of  Labna  will 
seem  to  hold  to  the  conditions  of  her  treaty  and  send 
her  troops,  under  Holcan,  to  march  with  those  of 
Tlaxcala  to  Mexico.  (To  Xicotencal.)  You 
shall  lead  these  united  forces  under  the  banner  of  the 
Republic.  Timely  notice  to  Montezuma's  envoys 
will  reassure  him  that  our  hearts  are  with  him 
against  the  invaders  and,  once  Malinche  and  his  men 
are  within  the  walls  of  Mexico,  we  shall  declare  our- 
selves with  the  Mexicans  and  overpower  the  strang- 
ers. Thus,  taken  amidst  the  canals  of  the  great 
city,  they  will  be  powerless  and  our  victory  assured. 
Montezuma  will  be  forever  bound  to  us  by  ties  of 
gratitude. 

XICOTENCAL 

This  would  be  treachery !     I  am  a  soldier ;  I  am 


170  XILONA 

bound  by  my  oath  to  the  Senate,  and  I  must  lead  the 
troops  of  Tlaxcala  whither  the  regents  command  me. 

ACHEL 

Your  scruples  are  over-nice.  Your  oath  is  sworn 
before  the  Senate,  but  your  allegiance  is  due  to  your 
country.  If  the  regents  are  blind  to  the  conse- 
quences of  their  misguided  decision,  shall  you  follow 
their  un-reason?  Will  you  therefore  fight  under  the 
standard  of  this  accursed  Malinche?  Malinche! 
Malinche!  He  has  deluged  the  land  with  innocent 
blood ;  the  blaze  of  our  burning  villages  crimsons  the 
skies.  Ye  gods,  who  rule  the  destinies  of  nations, 
look  down  upon  these  ruins  and  let  your  lightnings 
strike  the  invaders !  Hear  the  nation's  groan  and 
staunch  the  bleeding  wounds  of  Mexico ! 

XICOTENCAL 

The  decision  is  not  mine  —  it  rests  not  with  me  to 
decide.      I  am  a  soldier. 

ACHEL 

[Aside  to  Princess.] 
Speak  to  him. 

XILONA 

Xicotencal,  this  decision  of  the  Senate  is  disas- 
trous and  wicked,  and  I  will  not  accept  it.  If  you 
obey  the  regent's  orders  and  fight  against  Monte- 
zuma,  you   must   fight   against   me,   for   I   will   not 


XILONA  171 

march  with  Malinchc.  The  advice  of  Achel  is  wise. 
Shall  we  renounce  our  purpose  because  the  regent 
would  betray  his  country  to  gratify  his  hatred  of 
Montezuma?  Let  it  rather  be  your  part  to  save 
your  people  from  the  folly  of  this  dotard. 

XICOTENCAL 

Do  you,  Xilona,  counsel  me  to  break  my  oath  — 
my  oath  as  a  soldier?  My  obedience  is  pledged  to 
the  Senate. 

XILONA 

And  your  oath  to  me?  —  given  at  Labna  with 
sighs  and  vows  and  protestations  of  eternal  fidelity. 
Have  you  forgotten  that,  or  does  it  no  longer  hold 
good?  The  senators  are  but  puppets  in  the  hand 
of  the  masterful  regent,  who  bends  them  as  he  will 
and  has  carried  their  consent  by  violence.  Do  you 
love  me,  then,  so  little  that  you  will  violate  your  own 
conscience  and  better  judgment  at  the  regent's  bid- 
ding, rather  than  keep  faith  with  me  —  and  claim 
my  promise  when  victory  is  ours? 

XICOTENCAL 

You  take  me  on  my  weakest  side ! 

XILONA 

And  my  revenge?  You  declared  my  right  to 
vengeance  was  a  sacred  thing  to  which  you  would 
dedicate  your  life !     I  want  my  revenge.     I  will  have 


172  XILONA 

this  man,  Geronimo,  brought,  bound,  to  my  feet  — 
my  slave.      I  want  my  revenge. 

ACHEL 

Listen,  Xicotencal.  Do  men  open  their  doors  to 
thieves  who  will  plunder  their  house  and  then  turn 
them  out  of  it?  You  say  you  are  a  soldier.  Well 
and  good:  for  what  do  you  fight?  Not  for  regents 
nor  senates,  but  for  your  country.  Save  now  your 
countrymen  in  the  hour  of  their  greatest  need,  when 
they  are  betrayed  by  the  Senate,  and  the  regents 
would  open  the  door  to  these  foreign  robbers.  You 
will  be  the  saviour  of  Tlaxcala  and  of  Mexico. 
Great  will  be  the  name  of  Xicotencal  forever 
throughout  Anahuac. 

XICOTENCAL 

[Muttering  to  himself.] 
This    touches    my   honour  —  but    there   is    glory, 
there  is  love.     Where  lies  my  duty? 

XILONA 

[To  Guerrero.] 
My  troops  shall  not  march  with  Malinche. 

GUERRERO 

The  Spaniards  can  do  nothing  without  allies,  for 
they  are  few  and  ignorant  of  the  country.  I  have 
drilled  the  soldiers  of  Labna  well  in  the  Castilian  art 
of    war,    and    I    will    lead    them    against    Malinche. 


XILONA  173 

Moreover,  I  have  learned  that  all  his  men  are  not  of 
one  mind.  Many  of  them  grumble  and  are  ready  to 
rebel;  they  want  to  go  back  to  their  ships,  for  they 
fear  Montezuma  and  have  no  stomach  for  this  march 
to  Mexico.  We  can  easily  detach  these  men  with  the 
promise  of  a  safe  escort  to  their  ships,  and  thus  re- 
duce his  numbers. 

ACHEL 

This  fits  well  with  our  designs.  We  must  ap- 
proach these  malcontents  and  divide  Malinche's 
forces.     Weaken  him  first  and  then  strike. 

XICOTENCAL 

[To  Guerrero.] 
Are  the  Spaniards  not  your  countrymen? 

GUERRERO 

I  have  no  country  save  Yucatan.  The  Princess 
of  Labna  is  my  sovereign  for  whom  I  will  fight  and 
die.     I  know  no  other. 

XILONA 

My  faithful  Holcan !  I  thank  you.  (To  Xico- 
tencal.)  His  devotion  springs  from  the  heart,  and 
hence  he  does  not  forsake  me.  Is  your  love  but  a 
shallow  passion  that  spends  itself  in  lip-phrases? 
Do  you  desert  me? 

XICOTENCAL 

[Desperately.'] 
No!     So  let  it  be.     For  I  too  hate  these  Spanish 


174  XILONA 

thieves  with  all  my  heart.  Since  the  senators  be- 
tray the  Republic,  now  let  the  soldiers  come  to  its 
defence.  Xilona,  our  pact  is  sacred  and  I  will  keep 
my  pledge  to  you,  come  what  may.  You  shall  have 
your  vengeance. 

XILONA 

And  you  shall  have  my  hand  and  share  my  throne. 

XICOTENCAL 

It  is  your  heart  I  want. 

ACHEL 

I  will  treat  this  matter  with  the  Mexican  ambassa- 
dor, so  that  Montezuma,  being  made  acquainted  with 
our  fidelity  to  him,  may  devise  opportune  means  to 
accomplish  our  holy  purpose.  The  gods  of  Mexico 
be  with  us !  To  the  sun  of  Anahuac  we  will  offer  the 
heart  of  Malinche. 
[Exeunt.] 


CURTAIN 


ACT  III 


ACT  III 

Scene  I 

Time:  November,  1519. 

Xilona,  Geronimo,  Achel,  Xicotencal,  Guer- 
rero, Nezehua,  Cortes,  Marina,  Montezuma, 
Kings  of  Texcoco  and  Tacuba,  Spanish  Troops, 
Tlaxcalan  Soldiers,  Spanish  Monks,  Aztec  Cour- 
tiers and  Soldiers,  Corps  de  Ballet,  Musicians  and 
Populace  of  Mexico. 

The  scene  shows  the  first  meeting  between  Monte- 
zuma and  Cortes.  In  the  background  rises  the 
snow?/  cone  of  Popocatapetl  crowned  with  smoke; 
the  blue  waters  of  the  lake  stretch  across  the 
scene;  and  on  its  farther  shore  are  seen  the  pyra- 
mids, towers  and  roofs  of  Mexico.  The  stage  rep- 
resents an  open  square  on  which,  to  the  right 
foreground,  stands  the  portico  of  a  fortified 
building,  half  palace,  half  fortress.  This  portico 
is  approached  by  broad  steps  and  is  hung  with 
tapestries  and  garlands.  Montezuma's  throne 
occupies  its  centre,  with  a  seat  opposite  for  Cor- 
tes and  others  to  tlie  right,  and  left  for  the  two 
Kings  and  Princess  Xilona. 
177 


178  XILONA 

The  curtain  rises  on  an  animated  scene.  Police- 
men are  clearing  the  way  and  putting  the  crowd  in 
order.  Amidst  the  hubbub,  a  blare  of  trumpets 
is  heard,  followed  by  a  roll  of  small  drums  and 
Spanish  martial  music.  The  Spanish  troops,  led 
in  by  their  captains,  and  composed  of  gentlemen 
adventurers,  soldiers,  sailors,  negroes  dragging 
culverins,  and  Indian  allies,  enter  and  take  places 
on  the  left  front,  opposite  the  royal  portico.  Xi- 
cotencal  leads  the  united  forces  of  Tlaxcala  and 
Labna,  distinguished  from  one  another  by  their 
respective  colours.  Guerrero  heads  the  Labna 
troops. 

XICOTENCAL 

[To  Guerrero.] 
You    have    well    considered    my    instructions    and 
know  what  you  have  to  do? 

GUERRERO 

I  understand. 

XICOTENCAL, 

The  priest,  Geronimo,  will  come  with  Malinche  and 
will  stand  here  with  us.  When  the  entertainment 
offered  by  the  Emperor  to  the  strangers  is  finished, 
Montezuma  will  lead  Malinche  through  the  palace, 
while  the  troops  will  march  by  yon  causeway  into  the 
city.  It  is  Princess  Xilona's  will  that  Geronimo 
should  be  detained  here  by  us.     While  you  detach 


XILONA  179 

him  from  his  companions  and  hold  him  engaged  in 
conversation  apart  until  all  the  troops  have  left,  I 
will  so  place  my  men  as  to  conceal  you  from  the 
Spaniards  and  cut  him  off  from  joining  them.  See! 
the  barge  of  the  Princess  Xilona  approaches. 

[A  state  barge  touches  the  landing-place  at  the 
back,  from  which  Xilona,  Achel,  Nezehua 
and  Attendants  land,  amidst  tlie  acclama- 
tions of  the  crowd.  They  advance  towards 
the  royal  portico,  Achel  leading  Xilona.] 

XICOTENCAL 

[Approaching  Xilona.] 
Princess,  I  salute  you.     Without  your  presence, 
Montezuma's  festival  had  lacked  its  queen. 

XILONA 

'Tis  not  the  festival  that  brings  me.  I  would  see 
this  captain  Malinche  who  has  sown  such  turmoil 
throughout  the  empire.     He  is  acclaimed  as  a  god. 

achel 
Foolish  superstition!  He  is  no  god,  nor  yet  a 
child  of  the  sun.  At  last  Montezuma  has  given  ear 
to  the  counsels  of  wisdom.  Malinche  comes  to  the 
festival  of  death.  Once  within  the  city,  he  is  deliv- 
ered into  our  hands. 

XICOTENCAL 

[To  Xilona.] 
Do  you  enter  Mexico? 


180  XILONA 

XILONA 

No,  we  return  as  we  came,  across  the  lake,  where 
I  shall  await  news  in  the  fortress  of  Chalco. 

XICOTENCAL 

Your  wait  will  be  brief. 

XILONA 

[Eagerly.] 
Have  you  a  plan? 

XICOTENCAL 

A  perfect  plan.  The  priest  Geronimo  will  be 
seized  here  to-day.  When  the  Emperor  withdraws 
with  Malinche  into  the  palace  and  the  troops  march 
into  the  city,  Holcan  will  deliver  him  to  me. 

XILONA 

Is  there  not  danger? 

XICOTENCAL 

Is  there  danger  I  would  not  dare  for  you?  Do 
you  think  I  forget  my  reward?  This  night  Gero- 
nimo shall  be  at  your  mercy. 

[Here  the  second  group  of  Spaniards  enters: 
several  gentlemen,  preceded  by  halberdiers; 
then  a  group  of  friars,  carrying  the  stand- 
ard of  Cortes,  a  reliquary  of  Santiago,  a 
statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgm  under  a  canopy; 
finally,  Cortes,  in  full  armour,  mounted  on  a 


XILONA  181 

horse  which  is  led  by  Geronimo  and  Marina. 
They  take  their  places  facing  the  portico. 
The  booming  of  the  great  snake-skin  drum  in 
the  distant  temple  is  heard,  followed  by  In- 
dian salutes  on  trumpets,  A  procession  com- 
posed of  Aztec  Nobles  enters,  at  the  end  of 
which  appear  three  chamberlains  bearing 
golden  wands,  which  they  elevate  to  signify 
the  Emperor's  approach:  the  people  bow  tlieir 
faces  to  the  earth.  Montezuma  is  carried  in 
a  golden  litter,  gorgeously  fringed  and 
plwmed,  by  the  sides  of  which  walk  the  two 
Kings.  The  litter  halts  midway  up  the  centre 
and  the  Emperor  descends.  He  takes  a  golden 
wand  in  his  hand  and,  supported  by  the  two 
Kings  and  followed  by  his  Chamberlains 
and  T rain-Bearers,  he  advances.  He  wears 
a  golden  cuirass,  golden  buskins  and  sandals, 
laced  with  scarlet  and  jewelled  with  emeralds: 
from  his  shoulders  falls  a  voluminous  mantle 
of  shot  green,  gold  and  blue,  imitating  as 
nearly  as  possible  the  brilliant  colours  of  the 
robe  of  humming-birds'  feathers:  his  mitre- 
shaped  crown  blazes  with  emeralds  and  is  dec- 
orated with  a  cascade  of  brilliant  green  feath- 
ers. 
As  soon  as  the  imperial  litter  appears,  Cortes 
dismounts  and  approaches  the  Emperor,  doff- 


182  XILONA 

ing  his  hat;  he  makes  a  gesture  as  though 
to  embrace  Montezuma,  at  which  a  move- 
ment of  horror  goes  through  the  crowd  and 
the  two  Kings  quickly  intervene  and  prevent 
the  proffered  familiarity.  The  Emperor 
stands  like  a  statue,  immovable.  Cortes 
takes  from  his  neck  a  collar  of  diamonds  and 
pearls,  which  he  offers  to  Montezuma,  who  m 
turn  signs  to  an  Attendant  to  approach  and 
takes  from  him  a  golden  collar  with  pend- 
ants.    He  places  it  on  Cortes'  neck. 

The  Emperor  takes  his  seat  on  the  throne,  the 
Kings  and  the  Princess  doing  likewise  on 
theirs,  while  Cortes  is  placed  on  the  seat  op- 
posite, with  Marina  beside  him.  Geronimo 
is  with  tlie  group  opposite  the  portico. 

Here  follows  the  ballet,  in  two  parts.  First, 
the  dance  of  Vestals,  in  which  there  is  a  pas 
seul  for  a  premiere  danseuse.  Second,  a 
comical  acrobatic  dance  of  dwarfs  and  human 
freaks.  The  Emperor  retires  as  he  came, 
except  that  he  goes  first,  accompanied  by 
Cortes,  and  does  not  mount  his  litter. 

While  Montezuma,  Cortes  and  the  Court  are 
leaving  the  portico,  and  the  Spanish  Sol- 
diers and  others  are  following  them,  Guer- 
rero approaches  Fra  Geronimo  and  en- 
gages   him   in   conversation   in   dumb    show. 


XILONA  183 

Geronimo  at  first  repulses  him,  but  Guer- 
rero is  insistent,  demonstrative,  showing  re- 
pentance, etc.;  he  kneels  before  the  friar, 
kisses  the  cross  hanging  from  his  girdle,  and 
thus  wins  Geronimo  to  respond  affection- 
ately to  his  advances.  Meanwhile,  the  Tlax- 
calan  Soldiers  have  crowded  in  between 
Geronimo  and  the  departing  Spaniards,  thus 
cutting  him  off  from  them.  At  a  given  mo- 
ment, Geronimo  is  seized,  overpowered  and 
bound,  while  Guerrero  laughs  at  him. 
Xilona  and  Achel  witness  this  capture  from 
a  distance  as  they  are  descending  the  steps 
and  approaching  the  barge,  into  which  they 
enter.  The  action  is  covered  throughout  by 
music,  ending  in  a  triumphant  finale.] 

curtain 

Scene  II 

Evening  of  the  same  day. 

Xilona  —  Geronimo  —  Xicontencal.  —  Achel  — 
Two  Indians.  A  low,  flat-ceiled  room  m  an 
Aztec  fortress  near  Mexico.  The  ceiling  is  sup- 
ported by  two  square  stone  columns  that  divide 
the  room:  against  each  of  these  columns  stands 
an  idol  on  a  pedestal.  A  window,  at  the  back, 
divided  by  columns  into  three  openings,  shows  a 


184  XILONA 

view  of  the  volcano.     Entrances  at   right  centre 
and  left  front. 

XILONA 

To-day  I  saw  that  strange  warrior  whose  presence 
keeps  all  Mexico  in  a  ferment  .  .  .  Malinche.  .  .  . 
Whence  comes  he  and  on  what  direful  errand  bent? 
He  out-matched  the  Emperor  in  majesty,  and  I  saw 
in  Montezuma's  quailing  eye  the  unaccustomed 
spectre  of  nameless  fear.  Is  he  the  fore-ordained? 
.  .  .  the  avenger  of  a  god  betrayed,  who  holds  within 
his  deciding  hand  the  destinies  of  Mexico  .  .  .  and 
mine?  If  we  are  doomed  to  fall,  and  kings  to  wear 
the  manacles  of  servitude,  then  let  me  choose  my 
master  .  .  .  Geronimo  .  .  .  Geronimo.  .  .  .  How 
my  lips  linger  on  that  name !  Yet  hope  beats  but 
feebly  in  my  heart.  (She  goes  to  the  window  and 
looks  out  impatiently.)  No  sign  of  Xicotencal! 
How  slowly  turn  the  wheels  of  time!  I  age  with 
waiting. 

[Cries  are  heard  without,  and  she  again  looks 
from  the  window.~\ 
At  last,  'tis  Xicotencal  f     Do  the  gods  bring  me 
to-night  my  desire? 

[Enter    Xicotencal    and    Geronimo,    who    is 
bound  and  led  by  two  Tlaxcalan  Soldiers.] 

XICOTENCAL 

Princess,  you  are  mistress  of  this  fortress  which 


XILONA  185 

you  hold  for  the  Emperor.      Into  your  keeping  I  de- 
liver this  prisoner. 

XILONA 

Leave  the  prisoner  with  me,  General,  for  I  would 
speak  with  him.  Loose  his  bonds.  I  will  call  you 
anon. 

[Geronimo   is   unbound.     Xicotencal   salutes 

and  witlidraws,  followed  by  Soldiers.] 
[A    moment   of  doubtful  silence,   during  which 
Geronimo  does  not  look  at  Xilona.] 

xilona 
Have  you  naught  to  say  to  me,  Geronimo? 

geronimo 
I  have  not  sought  speech  with  you. 

XILONA 

You  were  my  father's  prisoner.  You  are  now 
mine. 

GERONIMO 

I  am  the  Emperor's  guest.  We  are  not  in  Yuca- 
tan. 

XILONA 

I  promised  you  freedom  then,  and  I  can  give  it  to 
you  now.  Have  you  forgotten  Labna  that  was  your 
home  ? 


186  XILONA 

GERONIMO 

I  have  forgotten  nothing  —  neither  my  captivity 
nor  your  shame. 

XILONA 

Your  speech  is  harsh.  In  what  have  I  offended 
you? 

GERONIMO 

I  have  seen  you  taste  human  flesh  and  blood. 
You  —  you  who,  of  all  the  lost  souls  of  this  new 
world  —  groping  in  the  night  of  ignorance,  were 
chosen  to  receive  the  message  of  salvation.  You 
have  shut  your  eyes  to  the  celestial  light  you  should 
have  followed;  you  have  rejected  the  message  whis- 
pered across  sterile  ages  by  some  mysterious  apostle 
of  God,  and  you  shall  perish  —  rejected.  Damna- 
tion is  the  fate  of  all  who  sin  against  the  light. 

XILONA 

How  shall  I  follow  the  light  with  none  to  lead 
me?  I  see  but  dimly.  You  came  to  me  as  the  mes- 
senger of  the  god  of  love  .  .  .  you  were  to  teach  me 
love. 

GERONIMO 

You  are  a  heathen  woman  and  I  pity  you.  Talk 
not  of  love  to  a  Christian  priest,  else  must  I  also 
despise  you. 

XILONA 

Do  you,  the  priest  of  the  god  of  love,  defame  love? 


XILONA  187 

Is  not  love  above  everything,  sacred  .  .  .  nature's 
truest  instinct?     Shame  has  no  part  in  love. 

GERONIMO 

Your  understanding  is  clouded  because  you  know 
only  the  love  of  the  flesh,  which  is  lust.  But  why  do 
I  speak?     Shall  I  cast  pearls  before  swine? 

XILONA 

Geronimo,  I  am  alone  .  .  .  alone.  Love  has  en- 
tered as  a  thief  into  my  heart.  I  had  dreamed,  as 
maidens  must,  of  love  —  of  him  who  was  to  complete 
my  life,  to  be  my  other,  my  better  self :  love  was  to  be 
beautiful,  peaceful;  it  was  to  bring  joy  and  happi- 
ness. Alas!  where  is  my  poor  dream?  For  love  is 
strife  —  it  is  torment  —  it  is  death. 

GERONIMO 

Such  is  carnal  love.  You  have  tasted  the  bitter- 
ness of  disordered  human  passion;  its  flatteries  are 
poison,  its  promises  are  false.  Sorrow  is  the  fruit 
of  desire,  for  pure  love  knows  not  full  fruition  in  this 
life.  Rise  out  of  these  depths.  Repent,  chastise  the 
flesh,  and  give  your  love  to  my  Master. 

XILONA 

Your  master?  .  .  .  But  I  know  him  not.  You 
are  my  master.  You  love  your  master,  and  I  love 
mine.      (She  approaches  him.) 


188  XILONA 

GERONIMO 

Stand  away  from  me,  daughter  of  Satan!  My 
hands  are  anointed. 

XILONA 

[Pleadingly.] 
You  promised  me  your  counsel ;  we  were  to  teach 
my  people  the  true  religion.  Come  now  with  me  to 
Yucatan,  where  we  will  work  together  and  make  them 
all  Christians.  My  people  will  welcome  us,  and  they 
will  accept  your  teaching.  Let  us  fly  this  cursed 
land  of  blood  and  tears,  overshadowed  by  on-coming 
doom.  Come  with  me  to  Labna  .  .  .  beautiful 
Labna  .  .  .  far  from  here,  far  from  war  and  death. 
I  will  lead  you  thither,  not  as  captive  but  as  king, 
for  you  shall  rule  my  people.  See.  (She  casts  aside 
her  outer  draperies.)  Men  have  called  me  fair: 
great  warriors  and  mighty  chieftains  have  wooed  me. 
All  the  delights  that  woman  can  give  to  man,  I  will 
give  to  you.  Geronimo,  since  first  my  glance  rested 
on  your  face,  my  eyes  can  see  no  other.  ...  I  am 
yours  —  take  me,  I  am  yours  forever. 

GERONIMO 

You  are  the  image  of  woman  by  whom  sin  first 
came  into  the  world.  You  are  the  eternal  temptress 
—  the  seducer  of  souls.  Your  body,  fed  with  man's 
flesh,  fills  me  with  loathing :  —  your  body,  desired 
of  kings,  is  not  fair  to  me,  for  it  is  a  tainted  thing, 


XILONA  189 

full  like  a  whited  sepulchre  of  foulness  and  corrup- 
tion: your  body,  that  you  perfume  and  deck  with 
jewels  and  offer  to  men,  is  but  a  lure  of  Satan  with 
which  he  baits  his  trap  to  catch  unwary  souls. 
Speak  no  more  to  me.  I  am  armoured  against  carnal 
temptations  by  my  holy  vows  —  for  I  am  a  priest  of 
the  most  high  God;  a  priest  forever,  for  whom  it  is 
profanation  and  eternal  death  to  look  on  woman  like 
you. 

[Xilona  strikes  a  gong,  enter  Xicotencal,  fol- 
lowed by  Achel  and  two  Soldiers.] 

XILONA 

[With  suppressed  fury.] 
Xicotencal,  kill  this  man.     Kill  him  here  and  now! 

[Xicotencal  draws  a  knife  and  rushes  with 
tiger-like  ferocity  towards  Geronimo,  who 
stands  immovable,  awaiting  the  blow. 
Xilona  draws  her  veil  over  her  face  and 
rushes  from  the  room.  Just  as  Xicotencal 
it  about  to  strike,  Achel  intervenes.] 

ACHEL 

Not  here,  nor  by  your  hand  shall  this  man  die. 
We  are  in  Mexico  —  not  Yucatan.  Bind  the  cap- 
tive. 

[The  Indians  bind  Geronimo  and  lead  him  to 

one  side.] 
[To  Xicotencal.] 


190  XILONA 

This  priest's  absence  is  already  noticed  and  is 
causing  great  commotion.  To  kill  him  here  by  Prin- 
cess Xilona's  orders  is  to  risk  the  undoing  of  all  our 
plans.  One  has  just  come  to  me  from  Mexico  who 
reports  that  search  is  being  made  everywhere  for  him 
and  Montezuma  has  published  the  death  penalty  for 
whosoever  shall  harm  this  man,  Geronimo. 

XICOTENCAL 

What  shall  be  done  with  him?  Give  him  up  we 
dare  not,  for  he  would  betray  us. 

ACHEL 

Let  him  be  confined  in  the  cavern,  under  this  for- 
tress :  there  he  will  lie  as  buried  in  a  grave  of  living 
rock  until  Malinche  is  in  our  power,  when  we  will  sac- 
rifice them  together.  You  will  return  to  Mexico  to- 
night :  Holcan  has  won  over  sixty  of  Malinche's  men, 
who  are  ready  to  desert  him  and  return  to  their 
ships ;  when  the  bridges  are  raised,  do  you  organise  a 
tumult  in  the  city,  in  the  midst  of  which  Tlaxcalans 
and  Mexicans  will  fall  upon  the  Spanish  quarters  and 
capture  Malinche.     Strike  quickly,  and  strike  hard. 

XICOTENCAL 

Aye.  We  must  act  speedily.  To-morrow,  we  will 
raise  the  bridges  and  cut  off  the  Spaniards'  return. 
Now  to  the  cavern  with  the  prisoner. 


XILONA  191 

ACHEL 

And  these  two   soldiers   who   share   the   secret  of 
his  whereabouts  —  are  they  to  be  trusted  ? 

XICOTENCAL, 

I  trust  no  man.     I  shall  kill  the  soldiers. 

[Achel  moves  a  secret  spring,  and  one  of  the 
idols  against  the  pillar  slowly  revolves,  dis- 
closing a  narrow  stairway  leading  down  into 
the  dungeon.  TJie  Soldiers  lead  Geronimo 
forward  and,  followed  by  Xicotencal,  they 
descend  the  stairs.  Achel,  remains,  listen- 
ing at  the  opening.] 

Scene  III 

The  next  day. 

In  Cortes'  quarters,  in  Mexico. 

N.  B.  The  language  is  assumed  to  change  to  Span- 
ish in  this  act.  Marina  speaks  brokenly  and  with 
an  accent. 

Cortes  —  Captains  —  Priests  —  Spanish  Soldiers 
—  A   few  Tlaxcalans  —  Marina  —  Villafana. 

A  large,  bare  room,  with  dirty,  white-washed  walls, 
on  which  hangs  a  black  crucifix  with  a  small  oil 
lamp  burning  before  it.  A  long,  heavy  table  to 
the  left  front,  with  one  arm-chair  and  several  stools 
or  small  benches  form  the  furniture.  Entrance  in 
the  centre  by  an  open  doorway,  outside  which  a 
Spanish    sentry    passes    and    repasses.     On    the 


192  XILONA 

right,  at  the  extreme  back,  the  room  has  a  bay, 
used  as  a  chapel,  in  which  stands  an  invisible  altar, 
the  light  from  which  streams  into  the  room.  All 
the  Soldiers  are  kneeling  and  crowding  about  the 
opening  of  this  improvised  chapel.  A  religious 
service  has  just  finished.  One  Monk  stands  as 
cross-bearer,  a  Friar,  vested  in  a  cope,  is  passing 
amongst  the  soldiers,  carrying  a  reliquary,  which 
he  gives  each  man  to  kiss.  Another  Monk  carries 
the  incense.  A  murmur  of  prayers  is  heard,  and 
the  Priests  pass  out.  The  Soldiers  get  up,  col- 
lect their  arms,  and  go  off  about  their  business. 

Cortes  and  his  Captains  all  gather  about  the  table, 
where  a  bundle  of  letters  and  papers  is  being 
opened  and  distributed. 

Villafana,  hovering  restlessly  about,  starts  towards 
the  door. 

MARINA 

[She  steps  before  Villafana,  waving  him  back 

with  a  dramatic  gesture,  crying  aloud,  in  tone 

of  alarm.] 

Close  the  doors !     This  man   {pointing  to  Villa- 

fana)  is  a  traitor!     He  has  betrayed  you  all.     Now 

he  would  give  the  signal  for  his  assassins  to  kill  you ! 

[Villafana   is    seized   and   roughly   held.     He 

tries  to  swallow  a  piece  of  paper,  but  it  is 

choked  from  his  mouth  and  given  to  Cortes, 

who  reads  it  to  himself.'] 


XILONA  193 

CORTES 

These  names!  These  names!  (To  Marina.) 
What  does  all  this  mean  ? 

MARINA 

A  woman  of  Tlaxcala  crept  to-day  to  my  door. 
She  was  wounded,  covered  with  blood.  Just  now,  ere 
she  died,  she  told  me  that  the  Indian  captain,  Holcan, 
stabbed  her  when  he  found  her  listening  to  him  plan- 
ning with  General  Xicotencal  to  kill  you.  At  this 
hour,  while  you  are  here  unarmed,  at  this  man's  sig- 
nal, other  Spaniards  waiting  outside  and  the  Indians 
from  Labna  and  Tlaxcala  were  to  take  you  by  sur- 
prise. All  the  bridges  were  to  be  raised  to-night  and 
your  men  taken  in  a  trap.  Xicotencal  and  Holcan 
are  the  secret  allies  of  the  Mexicans,  and  when  you 
were  killed  they  would  have  joined  them,  and  thus  all 
the  Spaniards  would  be  captured  and  sacrificed  to 
their  gods.  When  the  Indian  woman  escaped  them 
and  took  refuge  in  my  house,  they  were  afraid,  fear- 
ing she  would  tell  me;  so  Holcan  and  Xicotencal 
fled  early  this  morning.  The  woman  did  not  speak 
till  just  now  —  and  then  she  died. 

CORTES 
[To    VlLLAFANA.] 

Is  this  the  truth?  (Villafana  is  silent.)  You 
won't  speak? 


194  XILONA 

ALVARADO 

Give  him  the  question. 

SPANIARDS 

The  question!     The  question! 
[Cortes  nods  assent.] 

ALVARADO 

Bring  the  screws. 

[Thumbscrews  are  brought  and  put  on  Villa- 
fan  a.] 
Give  them  a  twist. 

[Villafana  groans  and  writhes.] 

CORTES 

Is  this  woman's  story  true? 

VILLAFANA 

It  is.     I  am  abandoned. 

CORTES 

Well,  let  us  hear  the  rest.     How  did  this  begin  ? 

VILLAFANA 

Xicotencal  has  always  hated  us  Spaniards,  and  has 
from  the  beginning  had  a  secret  understanding  with 
the  Mexicans.  It  was  agreed  that  his  forces  and 
those  of  Yucatan  would  go  over  to  the  Mexicans,  in 
spite  of  the  orders  of  the  regents  of  Tlaxcala. 


XILONA  195 

CORTES 

And  who  conceived  this  pretty  plot? 

VILLAFANA 

Achel. 

CORTES 

I  don't  know  him.     Who  is  he? 

VILLAFANA 

The  high  priest  of  Yucatan. 

CORTES 

The  high  priest!  Well,  it  smells  of  the  sacristy. 
If  they  had  him  in  Rome,  they  would  make  him  a 
cardinal.  (Jokingly.)  Eh,  friar?  And  what  was 
your  purpose  —  and  that  of  these  others?  (Point- 
ing to  the  paper.) 

VILLAFANA 

General,  this  invasion  is  madness,  and  we  are 
weary  of  it.  We  want  to  go  back  to  Cuba.  What 
chance  has  our  handful  of  men  against  the  countless 
hordes  of  Mexico?  The  Mexicans  have  brought  us 
into  their  city  the  more  easily  to  annihilate  us.  We 
are  taken  here  like  rats  in  a  trap,  and  our  only  chance 
is  to  get  back  to  our  ships  while  we  still  may.  We 
have  begged  you  to  lead  us  back,  but  you  would  not 
listen.  So  —  well  —  we  arranged  with  Xicotencal 
and  Holcan  to  leave  to-night.  They  promised  us  an 
open  road  and  safe  passage  to  the  sea.      Since  you 


196  XILONA 

would  not  come,  we  saw  no  reason  why  we  should  be 
slaughtered  also  like  cattle  in  the  shambles.  But  for 
you,  most  of  the  men  would  follow  us,  for  nobody's 
heart  is  in  this  conquest.  We  want  to  go  back  to 
Cuba. 

CORTES 

Ah !  You  did  not  want  to  be  slaughtered  —  you 
and  your  friends  —  so  you  planned  to  slaughter  me 
and  my  officers  instead!  Retreat,  and  give  up  the 
conquest.  Lives  there  a  man  so  —  so  —  What  are 
you  ?     Spaniards  ? 

SPANIARDS 

[Shouting.'] 
No!     No!     Cowards!     Traitors!     Outlaws! 

CORTES 

Spain  rejects  you.     Catholics? 

SPANIARDS 

[Shouting  angrily.] 
No !     Apostates !     Heretics  !     Judas ! 

CORTES 

The  Church's  ban  is  upon  you,  who,  to  save  your 
worthless  lives,  connived  with  heathen  and  cannibals 
against  us  who  are  fighting  battles  for  the  extension 
of  the  realms  of  our  invincible  sovereign,  Don  Carlos, 
our  Lord   (All  uncover)  and  for  the  exaltation  of 


XILONA  197 

the  Cross  of  Christ.  (All  cross  themselves.)  You 
are  worse  than  unregenerate  Jew  or  relapsed  heretic, 
and  you  insult  the  honour  of  these  hidalgos,  saying 
that  they  share  your  cowardice  and  would  follow  you. 
But  you  reckoned  badly,  for  this  is  not  man's  war. 
'Tis  not  I  who  lead  these  troops,  'tis  Santiago,  the 
protector  of  Spanish  soldiers.  To  Santiago  the  vic- 
tory, to  God  the  glory ! 

SPANIARDS 

[With  wild  enthusiasm.] 
Viva  Santiago!     Viva  Espama! 

CORTES 

\Sneeringly.  ] 
So  you  would  return  to  Cuba  ?     Well,  I'll  send  you 
to  a  hotter  place  than  Cuba.     Let  him  be  hanged 
before  his  own  door.     There  let  his  body  swing,  as  a 
warning  to   his   fellow  traitors. 

[Villafana  is  bound,  and  led  away.] 

CORTES 

The  fugitives  have  doubtless  made  for  Tlaxcala, 
and  they  have  a  good  eight  hours'  start.  I  shall 
leave  the  task  of  judging  Xicotencal  to  his  own  peo- 
ple. Alvarado,  organise  a  party  to  ride  in  haste 
to  Tlaxcala  and  report  their  General's  treason. 

[Alvarado  gives  orders,  and  some  men  go  out.] 

As  for  the  other,  Holcan,  commanding  the  forces 
of  Labna  — 


198  XILONA 

MARINA 

[Interrupting  him.'] 
That  man  is  no  Indian.     He  is  a  Spaniard. 

ALL, 

[Exclaiming.] 
A  Spaniard!     How  then? 

MARINA 

He  was  a  captive  during  six  years  in  Yucatan. 
His  Spanish  name  was  Guerrero,  and  he  organised 
and  drilled  the  troops  of  Labna,  married  the  ruler's 
niece,  and  has  two  boys.  The  Tlaxcalan  woman  told 
me  this,  and  that  it  is  he  who  yesterday  carried  off 
Fra  Geronimo  to  some  secret  place,  but  she  knew  not 
where. 

[Surprise  is  seen  on  every  face  as  the  men  crowd 
around,  questioning  and  exclaiming.] 

CORTES 

A  renegade  Spaniard !  Alvarado,  you  will  know 
how  to  deal  with  him.  The  garrote  is  too  good  for 
him.     The  stake  for  such  as  he. 

[All  assent y  with  curses  and  mutterings.] 

CORTES 

[To  Alvarado.] 
And  now,  be  off  in  haste  and  run  down  these  dogs. 
Ride  in  two  parties ;  take  guides   and  interpreters. 
We  must  find  and  save  Fra  Geronimo  if  he  still  lives. 


XILONA  199 

Xicotencal  may  be  left  to  the  Tlaxcalans,  and  do  you 
burn  the  traitor  Spaniard. 

AI/L 

[Shouting.] 
Burn  the  Spaniard!     Burn  the  Spaniard! 
[Exeunt  Omnes.~\ 


curtain 


ACT  IV 


ACT  IV 

Scene  I 

The  next  evening. 

Same  as  Scene  #,  ACT  III.  Room  in  the  Aztec  for- 
tress of  Chalco.  A  fire  burns  on  an  open  hearth, 
with  some  metal  and  pottery  vessels  standing  about 
it. 

XlLONA NEZEHUA ACHE!,. 

XILONA 

[To  Nezehua.] 
Here  in  this  gloomy  fortress  we  keep  our  mourn- 
ful watch,  far  from  the  pleasant  air  and  glorious  sun- 
shine of  Labna.  And  my  golden  coyol-bird  —  the 
little  golden-throated  herald  of  God,  who  daily  sang 
in  my  fragrant  garden  to  publish  the  birth  of  odor- 
ous blossoms?  Who  now  hears  his  magic  notes? 
Who  now  heeds  his  tuneful  message?  Perhaps  the 
coyol-bird  is  dead  —  dead  amidst  the  flowers  in  my 
dear,  my  distant  garden.  Ah  me!  I  think  that 
golden-throated  bird  is  dead.  Listen,  aunt,  to  the 
prophecy  of  the  god  Quetzalcoatl.  (Reads  from 
the     book)   ..."  and     Quetzalcoatl     prophesying 

said  .   .   ." 

203 


204  XILONA 

NEZEHUA 

[ In terrupting  impatiently. ] 
No !     No  I     I  will  not  listen  to  these  dismal  say- 
ings.    Desist   from   tormenting  yourself   over   these 
gloomy  mysteries.     Who  knows  what  such  prophecies 
mean  ? 

XILONA 

But  there  is  no  mystery  here.  These  words  are 
plain.  But  we  are  all  blind!  Are  not  we  misled  by 
our  priests,  who  sink  us  ever  deeper  in  the  slough 
of  disobedience,  while  they  pretend  to  satisfy  the 
divine  anger  by  bloody  sacrifices? 

NEZEHUA 

Don't  ask  me.  You,  my  child,  are  young  and  fair, 
and  nothing  is  so  unbecoming  in  a  pretty  woman  as 
positive  theological  opinions.  Now  is  the  season  of 
love,  and  I  would  see  you  occupied  with  your  lover 
Xicotencal,  rather  than  puzzling  your  pretty  head 
over  ancient  prophecies.  See!  I  am  embroidering 
this  veil  with  pearls  and  turquoises  for  you.  It  is 
for  your  marriage  day. 

XILONA 

[Sadly. \ 

I  shall  never  be  married.  Unhappy  Xicotencal, 
and  unhappy  the  day  when  first  he  fixed  his  heart  on 
me !  For,  look  you,  aunt,  I  love  him  not  and  never 
shall.     Against  his  will  and  only  to  win  me,  he  has 


XILONA  205 

perjured  himself,  and  the  end  of  this  for  him  is  death. 
He  has  slain  an  innocent  man  whose  blood  is  on  my 
soul.  The  treachery  Achel  planned  against  the 
Spaniards  will  fail,  for  Malinche  is  irresistible  and  he 
is  terrible.  What  spake  the  god  Quetzalcoatl  ?  .  .  . 
"  My  followers,  like  unto  me,  shall  destroy  this  per- 
verse nation,  and  overthrow  its  altars."  Malinche 
does  this,  for  he  has  levelled  our  high  places  and  cast 
down  our  gods  —  our  false  gods  —  into  the  dust. 
All  who  oppose  Malinche  die,  and  they  shall  die,  for 
he  is  our  conqueror,  come  to  chastise  our  people  for 
their  apostasy.  Xicotencal  is  a  murderer  and  shall 
pay  with  his  life  for  his  obedience  to  my  wicked  com- 
mands. And  I,  weighted  with  guilt  and  remorse,  live 
always  under  the  shadow  of  those  dreadful  wings  — 
the  vultures'  wings  that  seem  to  beat  about  my  head. 
The  wings,  the  black  wings  like  death  shadows  suffo- 
cate me !     It  was  Geronimo's  prophecy. 

NEZEHUA 

[Seeking  to  comfort  her.] 
No,  my  sweet,  you  must  not  have  dark  thoughts. 
You  are  overwrought  with  our  long  waiting  in  this 
gloomy  place.  Why,  the  last  news  from  Mexico  was 
good ;  Holcan's  messenger  announced  that  they  had 
even  won  some  of  Malinche's  own  men  to  their  side, 
and  that  their  plans  were  perfect ;  they  only  wait 
the  propitious  moment  to  strike. 


206  XILONA 

XILONA 

That  moment  will  never,  never  come.  I  must  tell 
Xicotencal  the  truth, —  that  I  can  never  marry  him 
—  and  beg  him  to  give  up  the  plot  and  remain  true 
to  his  oath.  I  hear  the  beating  of  wings  —  of  black 
vultures'  wings !  This  haunting  terror  takes  shape 
and  my  cheek  is  chilled  by  an  icy  wind  heralding  the 
approach  of  death's  messenger.  The  hour  of  reckon- 
ing draws  nigh  and  my  guilty  soul  must  meet  the 
punishment  of  my  crime. 
[Enter  Achel.] 

achel 
No    messenger    to-day    from    the    Spanish    camp. 
The  news  of  our  success  is  over-due. 

XILONA 

It  will  never  come. 

ACHEL 

'Tis  ill  tidings  that  travel  most  quickly ;  since  we 
hear  nothing,  all  is  well.  Even  his  own  men  rebel 
against  the  insolence  of  Malinche.  The  sacrificial 
knife  (he  draws  it  from  beneath  his  robe)  is  whetted, 
and  my  arm  is  strengthened  for  the  blow  that  shall 
open  his  breast  and  give  his  heart  to  the  Sun  and  his 
blood  to  our  god  of  war. 

XILONA 

Let  us  have  done  with  murder !     Think  you  thus  to 


XILONA  207 

please  the  supreme  creator  by  acts  of  inhuman  butch- 
ery? (She  produces  the  book.)  Give  heed,  Achel, 
to  the  teaching  of  the  divine  Quetzalcoatl.  (She 
reads. )  "  Let  no  human  sacrifice  pollute  the  altar 
of  our  God.  Know  ye  that  not  by  sacrifices  of  human 
blood  can  divine  decrees  be  changed  or  God's  just 
wrath  appeased,  for  these  are  vain  inventions  which 
dishonour  God  and  defile  man." 

ACHEL 

[Wrathfvlly  seizing  the  book.] 
Whence  have  you  this  book?  Thus  have  the  un- 
learned ever  wrested  the  sense  of  inspired  writings 
to  their  own  undoing!  Know,  child,  that  there  are 
mysteries  in  our  faith  too  deep  for  common  under- 
standing. Malinche  is  sent  as  the  scourge  of  the 
gods.  He  blindly  fulfils  decrees  beyond  his  compre- 
hension, and  his  present  victory  over  our  people  is 
but  the  divine  chastisement  of  their  lukewarmness. 
This  holy  purpose  served,  the  accursed  instruments 
shall  be  delivered  into  our  hands ;  they  shall  purge 
and  pass  as  does  a  pestilence  or  the  fury  of  the  de- 
vastating hurricane.  Mexico  triumphant  shall  be 
re-consecrated  and  the  favour  of  the  gods  shall  shine 
anew  upon  a  fervent  and  repentant  people. 

XILONA 

Malinche  comes  as  the  foreordained  avenger.     Our 
priests  have  turned  our  temples  into  charnel-houses 


208  XILONA 

and  exalted  murder  into  a  ritual.  To  you  who  have 
been  the  minister  of  death,  Malinche  comes  as  death's 
messenger  to  summon  you  to  judgment.  To  the 
helpless,  suffering  peoples  of  this  land,  whose  life- 
blood  you  drain,  he  comes  as  a  saviour. 

[Voices  are  heard  without,  Nezehua  opens  the 
door  and  admits  Xicotencal.    She  goes  out.~\ 

Scene  II 
The  same. 

XICOTENCAL 

We  have  failed!  Our  plans  were  overheard  last 
night  by  a  woman  of  Tlaxcala,  who  betrayed  every- 
thing to  Marina.  Holcan  and  I  barely  escaped  from 
Mexico  before  Malinche  was  informed ;  but  the  Span- 
iards are  now  hot  upon  our  tracks.  Come  Xilona, 
this  place  can  no  longer  shelter  us. 
[Xilona  looks  bewUdered.~\ 

ACHEL 

[Bitterly*] 

Betrayed !  and  by  a  woman !     It  is  always  a  woman ! 
I  must  see  Holcan. 
[Exit  Achel.] 

XICOTENCAL 

Xilona,  we  must  away.  I  have  been  false  to  my 
oath,  I  have  betrayed  my  trust  and  neither  amongst 
Spaniards  nor  in  my  native  Tlaxcala  is  there  any 


XILONA  209 

place  for  me.  I  have  bartered  my  honour  for  your 
love,  but  oh!  my  treasure,  my  moon  of  love,  I  hold 
the  bargain  cheap !  I  would  sell  worlds  for  your 
smile  .  .  .  for  the  touch  of  your  hand.  You  are 
sweeter  to  me  than  life  —  more  sacred  than  the 
breath  I  draw. 

[He  seeks  to  embrace  her.'] 

XILONA 

[Shrinking.] 
Oh,  Xicotencal,  'tis  I  who  have  ruined  your  life ! 
'Tis  I  who  have  brought  you  to  dishonour!     But  I 
will  save  you,  I  will  conceal  you. 

XICOTENCAL 

Conceal  me !  We  will  fly  together  —  whither  you 
please.  To  Yucatan,  to  Labna,  or  to  some  far  coun- 
try where  love  and  life  shall  be  ours  till  death.  My 
reputation,  my  triumphs,  my  honour  —  let  them  all 
go !  What  are  they  but  vain,  fleeting  things  dressed 
out  in  a  semblance  of  reality  for  our  delight,  and 
loaned  to  us  by  the  gods?  Fortune  is  inconstant 
and  forsakes  her  favourites  in  the  hour  of  greatest 
need  ;  but  love  is  above  everything  and  is  forever  .  .  . 
and  I  have  love,  Xilona,  for  I  have  you.  (Always 
seeking  to  embrace  her.) 

XILONA 

[Troubled  and  gently  repulsing  him.] 
No,  Xicotencal,  I  am  unworthy  of  you,  for  I  am  a 


210  XILONA 

poor,  weak  girl,  torn  by  doubts,  pulled  hither  and 
thither  by  forces  I  can  neither  guide  nor  resist. 
When  first  you  wooed  me  in  Labna,  I  did  not  know  my 
heart  and  I  did  not  love  you  as  you  would  have  me 
love  you.  I  only  craved  revenge  .  .  .  revenge  for 
the  insults  the  priest  Geronimo  had  made  me  suffer. 
My  one  desire  was  to  see  him  at  my  mercy.  To  win 
that,  I  promised  you.  .  .  . 

XICOTENCAL 

[Interrupting  impetuously.] 
I  have  kept  my  pledge.     I  brought  him  to  your 
feet.   ...  I  would  have  obeyed  you  to  the  end,  save 
for  Achel.     I   would   have  killed  him   as  you   com- 
manded. 

XILONA 

[With  emotion.] 
Ah !  you  would  have  killed  him !  .  .  .  then  ...  he 
is  not  dead? 

XICOTENCAL 

Nay,  my  mistress.     Chide  me  not.     You  shall  be 
obeyed,  for  I  will  kill  him  now. 

XILONA 

[Hysterically."] 
He  is  not  dead !     He  is  not  dead ! 

XICOTENCAL 

[Mistaking  her  emotion  for  anger.] 
I  could  not  kill  him,  because  Achel  prevented  me; 


XILONA  211 

but  he  is  dying  not  one  death  but  a  hundred  ...  he 
is  dying  by  inches.     Your  revenge  is  not  lost.  .  .  . 

XILONA 

[Interrupting  eagerly.] 
Dying,  you  say?     But  where? 

XICOTENCAL 

He  is  in  the  rock  cavern  beneath  this  fortress  — 
a  secret  grotto  reached  by  a  concealed  stairway  be- 
hind that  image.  Achel  would  have  it  so,  fearing  to 
kill  him  before  we  had  secured  Malinche  and  his  men, 
lest  Montezuma's  wrath  should  fall  on  you. 

XILONA 

[Breathlessly.] 
Yes,  yes!     Well,  go  on! 

XICOTENCAL 

But  death's  hand  is  closing  upon  him,  for  I  bound 
him  fast  to  a  rock ;  there  amidst  subterranean  dark- 
ness, where  no  light  pierces,  with  the  foul  slimy  crea- 
tures that  haunt  caverns  and  feed  on  dead  things  to 
keep  him  company,  he  is  fast  bound  and  can  move 
neither  hand  nor  foot;  without  food,  without  water. 
Ah !  water !  But  water  is  there.  A  sweet  spring 
gushes  from  the  rock  and  runs  in  a  cool  rivulet  that 
just  bathes  his  feet  —  a  rivulet  his  lips  can  never 
touch. 

[Xilona  has  listened  with  suppressed  rage  and 


212  XILONA 

excitement,  but  now  loses  self-control.     She 
turns  furiously  upon  him.] 

XILONA 

Monster!  Fiend!  You  have  dared  to  thus  tor- 
ture this  man  .  .  .  this  man  whom  I  love !  .  .  .  Yes, 
whom  I  love !  —  for  every  hair  of  his  head  is  dearer 
to  me  than  my  crown.  You  sought  my  love,  but  you 
are  blind  —  blinder  even  than  I  myself  have  been,  for 
only  he  fills  my  heart, —  my  life.  May  the  gods  curse 
you  in  the  light  of  the  morning  and  in  the  silence 
of  the  night!  May  they  curse  you  in  this  world 
and  in  the  next !  And  while  we  eat,  he  starves  !  while 
we  drink,  his  lips  are  parched !  I  hate  you,  I  loathe 
you !  For  every  torment  you  have  inflicted  upon  him, 
you  shall  suffer  a  score;  for  every  pang  that  has 
racked  his  body,  a  hundred  shall  tear  yours !  I  will 
kill  you !  I  will  torture  you  with  my  own  hands. 
You  shall  die  —  not  one  death  but  fifty ! 
[A  distant  trumpet  blast  is  heard.] 

Ah !  the  Spaniards  !  They  come  in  good  time.  I 
will  deliver  you  to  Malinche  for  he  has  torments  that 
wring  tears  of  blood  from  his  victims. 

[She  rushes  to  the  window.     Voices  and  noises 
are  heard  outside.     She  calls  out.] 

Lower  the  bridge;  open  the  gates  and  admit  the 
Spaniards !  The  traitor  is  here  .  .  .  here  in  this 
room. 

[Enter  Achel  and  Guerrero  in  haste.] 


XILONA  213 

.     ACHEL 

[Rushing  towards  tlie  idol  that  conceals  the 
stairway.] 
Quick,  Xicotencal !  There  is  not  an  instant  to 
lose!  The  Spaniards  are  here!  There  is  a  secret 
passage  leading  from  the  cavern  below  through  the 
bowels  of  the  mountain  to  an  opening  in  a  remote 
gorge;  there  you  may  take  a  canoe  on  the  river  and 
reach  the  sea,  whence  you  may  cross  to  Yucatan. 
Away  at  once,  and  wait  for  us  in  Labna. 

XICOTENCAL, 

No !  Shall  I  run  like  vermin  and  be  dragged  from 
a  hole  or  done  to  death  in  some  corner?  Let  me  at 
least  face  death,  for  death  is  justice,  it  is  expiation: 
death  is  my  deliverer,  and  through  death,  with  its 
accompanying  shame  in  the  eyes  of  men,  I  regain  my 
birthright  of  honour  in  the  sight  of  God. 

ACHEL 

But  why  die?  We  shall  all  be  safe  in  Labna,  for- 
gotten by  Malinche. 

XICOTENCAL, 

Malinche  never  forgets.  Shall  I  weep  to  leave  this 
world,  where  I  have  lived  in  a  vain  illusion?  I  have 
already  overstayed  my  time. 

[Exit  Achel.     Enter  the  blind  Regent,  Xico- 
tencal, led  by  a  Page.] 


214  XILONA 

REGENT 

I  seek  the  General  Xicotencal  of  Tlaxcala.  Is  he 
present  ? 

XICOTENCAL 

My  father !     I  am  here. 

REGENT 

It  is  not  your  father  who  seeks  you.  It  is  your 
judge. 

XICOTENCAL 

I  am  here. 

REGENT 

General  Xicotencal,  the  messengers  of  Malinche, 
whom  I  met  on  the  road,  have  gone  to  publish  the 
news  of  your  treason  throughout  Tlaxcala.  What 
punishment  do  the  laws  of  our  Republic  prescribe 
for  treason? 

XICOTENCAL 

The  punishment  for  treason  is  death. 

REGENT 

You  have  said  it.  You  have  violated  your  oath 
to  the  Senate,  you  are  guilty  of  treachery ;  your  name 
is  infamous  throughout  Anahuac.  I  pronounce 
upon  you  the  sentence  of  death. 

XICOTENCAL 

And  death  —  is  it  worse  than  life  ?  All  the  world 
is  a  grave,  and  naught  escapes  it. 

[Enter  Alvarado  and  Spaniards.] 


XILONA  215 

ALVARADO 

We  have  traced  the  fugitives  to  this  fortress. 

REGENT 

They  are  here.     Behold  them. 

SPANIARDS 

[Shouting  threats  and  surrounding  Guerrero 
with  menaces.] 
Which    is    the     Spaniard?     Kill    the    Spaniard! 
Curses  on  the  renegade !     Burn  the  heretic !  .  .  .  etc. 

ALVARADO 

[Defending    Guerrero    and    pushing    off    the 
Spaniards.] 
His  punishment  is  not  here.     Stand  off.     Are  we 
savages?     Let  his  sentence  be  executed  in  good  or- 
der.    This  is  unseemly. 

REGENT 

[To  Alvarado.] 
In  accordance  with  the  laws  of  Tlaxcala,  and  by 
my  power  as  regent  of  the  republic,  I  have  sentenced 
General  Xicotencal  to  death.     I  now  authorise  you 
to  carry  out  this  sentence. 

ALVARADO 

[Amazed.] 
But  ...  is  this  man  not  vour  son  ? 


216  XILONA 

REGENT 

[Stoically.] 
No  traitor  is  son  of  mine. 

ALVARADO 

My  orders  were  to  let  him  be  judged  and  executed 
by  his  own  people. 

REGENT 

He  has  been  judged  by  his  own  people:  spare  them 
the  shame  of  a  public  execution  in  Tlaxcala.  Let 
him  be  strangled. 

[Alvarado  assents,  and  both  prisoners  are 
bound.] 

XICOTENCAL 
[To  XlLONA.] 

I  have  been  your  fool,  and  I  pay  with  my  life 
for  my  folly.  You,  Xilona,  are  in  your  turn  but  a 
toy  ...  a  plaything  in  the  hands  of  fate ;  for  great 
forces  are  now  loosed  in  Mexico,  forces  that  shall 
rend  and  crush  you.  We  are  dishonoured  —  you 
and  I  —  and  we  both  perish,  overwhelmed  in  the  sea 
of  infamy,  that  engulfs  us.  I  thank  the  gods  that 
I  shall  not  witness  the  downfall  of  my  people  —  that 
I  die  dishonoured,  therein  lies  all  my  grief.  May 
the  gods  forgive  me  and  may  men  forget  me ! 

[Exeunt  Xicotencal,  Aevarado,  Guerrero, 
Regent  and  the  Spaniards.] 

[Xilona  watches  a  moment  from  the  window, 


XILONA  217 

then,  lighting  a  torch  and  taking  a  pottery 
vessel  from  the  -fire,  she  pushes  the  idol  aside 
and  enters  the  stairway  leading  to  the  cavern. 
Achel,  enters  in  time  to  see  her:  he  creeps 
stealthily  to  the  opening,  listens  a  moment  and 
then,  with  a  gesture  of  rage,  follows  Xilona.] 


Scene  III 

An  underground  cavern  with  fantastic  stalactites. 
In  the  far  background  is  seen  a  faint,  bluish  haze, 
suggesting  distant  daylight;  otherwise  the  cavern 
is  dark. 

Geronimo  is  standing,  bound  to  a  pillar-like  rock; 
a  spring  of  water  flows  from  the  wall  and  runs 
into  a  small  pool  at  his  feet;  steep  stairs  cut  in  the 
rock  lead  upwards.  Geronimo  is  in  a  state  of  ex- 
treme exhaustion,  bemg  without  food  or  drmk  for 
two  days  and  nights;  his  eyes  are  bent  on  the  pool 
and  he  strains  at  his  bonds  to  reach  the  water. 

GERONIMO 

[In  a  weak,  gasping  voice. ,] 
Water  .  .  .  water.  .  .  .  By  Thy  great  thirst  on 
Calvary,  O  divine  Master,  send  me  surcease  from  this 
torment  .  .  .  send  merciful  death  to  end  this  slow 
torture !  Water  .  .  .  water !  (His  head  droops 
and  he  faints.) 


218  XILONA 

[Bats  and  owls  are  dimly  seen  flitting  through 
the  gloom.'] 

[Xilona  descends  the  steps,  carrying  the  torch 
and  bowl.  She  approaches  Geronimo,  un- 
binds him  and  lays  him  down:  she  gives  him 
water  and  bathes  his  face.  As  he  comes  to 
himself  she  gives  him  to  drink  from  the  bowl: 
she  lights  a  fire  that  illuminates  the  cavern.] 

[Achel  creeps  stealthily  down  the  steps  and 
conceals  himself  behind  the  rocks  in  the  back- 
ground.] 

GERONIMO 

[Weakly.] 
What   ministering   angel    succours    me    and   gives 
me  new  life? 

XILONA 

Geronimo  ...  it  is  I,  Xilona.  Drink  this ;  it 
will  give  you  strength.  (She  puts  the  bowl  to  his 
lips. ) 

GERONIMO 

You !  Who  had  condemned  me  to  a  lingering 
death,  now  bring  me  refreshment?  Is  this  but  to 
prolong  my  agonies?  Do  you  come  to  feast  your 
eyes  on  my  sufferings? 

XILONA 

[  Weeping.  ] 
Geronimo,   must   you   always   be  hard   and   cruel 


XILONA  219 

to  me?  All,  all  I  have  sacrificed  for  you,  and  yet 
nothing  matters  save  to  be  with  you.  In  my  blind 
rage  I  condemned  you  to  death  —  but  not  to  tor- 
ture. I  thought  you  were  dead  until  but  an  hour 
ago ;  and  see !  I  am  by  your  side  to  save  you.  To 
my  love  for  you  I  have  sacrificed  my  lover's  love  for 
me,  and  I  have  sent  Xicotencal  dishonoured  to  his 
death ;  I  have  given  my  faithful  Holcan  to  be  slain, 
for  love  of  you;  I  have  renounced  my  faith,  aban- 
doned my  people,  and  my  troops  march  with  the 
Spaniards  against  the  friends  of  my  country  —  all 
for  love  of  you.  What  have  I  left,  if  you  now  desert 
me? 

GERONIMO 

[Kindly.'] 
You  bear  the  burden  of  your  sins  and  the  chastise- 
ment of  your  iniquity.     Follow  the  light  within:  do 
penance  and  be  converted.     Become  a  Christian. 

XILONA 

I  will.  I  will  become  a  Christian,  if  you  will  show 
me  the  way.  Will  you  not  come  with  me  and  sustain 
me?  There  is  a  passage  leading  from  this  cavern  to 
the  great  river  that  flows  into  the  sea,  and  once 
there,  we  will  cross  to  Yucatan.  Oh!  let  us  leave 
this  land  of  strife  and  calamity !  Let  us  forget  for- 
ever the  misery  and  sorrow  of  these  days  and  devote 
our  lives  to  uplifting  my  poor  people. 


220  XILONA 

GERONIMO 

Princess  Xilona,  God  has  marked  you  for  His  own. 
I  perceive  that  there  is  enthroned  within  you  a  beau- 
tiful soul  predestined  by  divine  grace  to  work  the  sal- 
vation of  your  people.  Your  life  and  powers  belong 
to  them  whom  Providence  has  entrusted  to  you. 

XILONA 

I  love  my  people,  but  must  I  starve  my  heart? 

GERONIMO 

It  is  your  soul  you  are  starving.  Your  soul  cries 
out  for  light,  for  grace  to  win  your  eternal  salva- 
tion. You  have  sinned  as  great  saints  have  sinned; 
repent  as  they  repented,  and  redeem  your  faults  by 
harvesting  souls  in  Yucatan.  Embrace  the  Cross 
and  you  will  win  the  crown. 

XILONA 

Teach  me  the  faith.     Make  me  a  Christian. 

GERONIMO 

Above  the  horizon  of  this  heathen  land,  saddened 
by  the  abominations  of  Satan's  acolytes,  the  glorious 
sign  of  our  salvation  now  rises.  In  the  cross  is  life 
and  joy  of  spirit;  in  the  cross  is  health  of  soul  and 
the  pledge  of  bliss  eternal.  The  road  to  paradise  is 
the  way  of  the  cross.  By  my  sacramental  power,  I 
will  cheat  the  devil  of  your  soul.     I  will  give  you  a 


XILONA  221 

new  name  —  the  name  of  her  who  was  chosen  to  bear 
the  incarnate  Saviour  —  for  to  you  it  is  given  to  bear 
to  the  Indian  nations  of  this  new  world  their  Re- 
deemer. I  give  you  the  ever-glorious  name  of  Mary. 
Mary,  I  baptise  thee.   .   .  . 

[He  baptises  her  with  water  from  the  pool,  turn- 
ing his  back  to  the  audience  and  leaving  the 
remaining  words  maudible.  The  figures  of 
Xieona  and  Geronimo  are  lighted  by  the 
glare  of  the  fire.  Achel's  face  is  seen  in  a 
reflected  light  as  he  watches  them  with  impo- 
tent malignity.] 

GERONIMO 

Blessed  and  sanctified  shall  be  your  soul,  for  it 
shall  become  the  habitation  of  the  spirit  of  truth  and 
shall  radiate  throughout  these  nations  which  sin  and 
groan  in  the  night  of  ignorance,  the  blessed  light 
of  salvation.  Great  are  the  generations  of  holy 
women,  servants  of  God,  whom  the  decree  of  His 
vicar  has  elevated  upon  the  altars  of  the  Church  uni- 
versal ;  and  in  this  august,  never-ending  procession 
that  marches  through  the  ages  to  its  goal  of  eternal 
glory  I  see  your  form  —  Mary  —  Xilona  —  the 
first  princess  of  your  race  to  be  ransomed  by  the  lus- 
tral  waters  of  baptism. 

XILONA 

Behold  in  me  a  servant  of  the  Cross.     I  will  see 


222  XILONA 

as  you  see,  I  will  think  as  you  think,  I  will  feel  as  you 
feel.  My  life  is  henceforth  consecrated  to  my  peo- 
ple. 

GERONIMO 

And  I  will  come  to  Labna  and  there  cultivate  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord:  but  not  yet,  for  my  place  is 
now  in  Mexico.     I  must  go  to  Mexico. 
[Xilona  gives  him  the  torch.] 

XILONA 

Follow  the  stream  through  the  cavern:  it  will  lead 
you  to  safety,  outside  the  fortress,  from  whence  the 
road  to  Mexico  is  before  you. 

GERONIMO 

Farewell,  Xilona.     I  go  to  Mexico. 

[He  goes,  bearing  the  torch.     From  the  depths 
of  the  cavern  he  turns,  raises  the  torch.] 
Farewell,  Mary! 

XILONA 

Where  you  go,  there  will  I  follow,  for  I  have  no 
country  where  you  are  not,  and  I  know  no  God  whom 
you  do  not  adore. 

[She  ascends  the  steps.] 

[Achel,  with  a  gesture  of  suppressed  rage  and 
determination,  follows  cautiously  after  her.] 


XILONA  223 

Scene  IV 

Xilona,  Achel,  Three  Indians. 

In  a  forest.  A  clearing  on  the  brow  of  a  rocky  cliff, 
above  which  towers  the  Aztec  fortress.  The 
background  shows  a  stupendous  view  of  the  vol- 
cano, all  white,  with  a  red  glow  on  its  summit.  A 
deep  ravine  separates  the  volcano  from  the  scene 
in  front.  The  moon  has  risen  and  throws  a  white 
light  over  the  distant  snowy  slope,  while  the  fore- 
ground is  in  a  black  shadow  of  the  giant  trees.  To 
the  left,  on  the  brow  of  the  cliff,  projects  a  bough 
from  which  is  hanging  the  body  of  General  Xi- 
cotencal.  Guerrero  has  been  burned  alive,  and 
his  charred  body  still  hangs  in  chains  over  glowing 
embers.  On  the  left  side  another  bough  projects 
higher  up.  On  this  dead,  leafless  branch  are 
perched  two  or  three  gigantic  vultures,  waiting  for 
the  dead  bodies.  A  path  descends  from  the  for- 
tress above,  at  the  end  of  which  stands  a  gigantic 
stone  idol. 

Enter  Xilona,  coming  down  from  the  fortress.  She 
starts  back  on  seeing  the  dead  bodies. 

XILONA 

[Drawing  her  veil  across  her  face  to  shut  out 
the  sight. ] 
Alas !     Alas !   what   waters    shall   wash   from   my 


224  XILONA 

hands  the  guilt  of  this  brave  soldier's  death?  His 
life  he  prized  little,  but  oh !  his  honour  —  dearer  than 
life  —  he  sold  for  love  of  me,  and  was  unrequited. 
I  dare  not  look!  0  God  of  the  Christians,  my  first 
prayer  to  Thee  is  for  mercy  on  this  man,  betrayed 
to  a  shameful  death  through  loving  over-much,  and 
for  pardon  —  pardon  for  my  treachery  to  him  and 
to  his  people ! 

[She   sees    the  mdtures   perching   on   the  dead 

bough  and  waves  her  hands  to  frighten  them, 

but  they  remain  motionless.] 

XILONA 

The  vultures  !     Fly  hence,  foul  birds  !     Touch  not 
the  flesh  of  the  dead  brave!     Fly  hence,  fly  hence! 
Oh,  let  me  begone  from  this  tryst  of  horrors,  the 
sight  of  which  shatters  me. 
[She  starts  to  go.] 

[Enter    Achel,    suddenly,    from    the    fortress 
path.] 

ACHEL 

This  is  a  fit  place  for  the  last  meeting  between 
you  and  me,  and  with  these  witnesses  and  their 
watchers. 

[He  motions  to  the  dead  men  and  the  birds.] 

XILONA 

Stop  me  not.     I  go  to  Mexico. 


XILONA  225 

ACHEL 

To  Mexico?  Listen  to  my  words,  Xilona,  daugh- 
ter of  Labna.  Your  father  gave  you  as  a  child  into 
my  keeping  that  I  might  fit  you  to  succeed  him,  and 
our  people  never  miss  the  heir  the  gods  denied. 
Years  of  my  life  did  I  devote  to  teaching  you  all  that 
a  man-ruler  should  know. 

XILONA 

I  was  your  creature,  taught  by  your  serpent  wis- 
dom ;  through  my  weak  hands  your  rule  over  the  na- 
tion would  be  supreme. 


I  delivered  you  to  our  people  —  a  perfect  woman 
to  be  their  queen,  but  you  have  yielded  to  evil  and 
betrayed  your  country  and  your  faith. 

XILONA 

No ;  'tis  you  and  your  priests  who  have  enslaved 
the  souls  of  the  people,  the  better  to  rule  their  bod- 
ies. Like  a  black  cloud  shutting  off  the  sunshine 
from  the  earth,  so  have  your  evil  inventions  obscured 
the  pure  doctrine  of  our  early  faith. 

ACHEL 

Traitress,  apostate!  Behold  your  bridegroom 
(turns  her  forcibly  so  as  to  face  the  hanging  man)  — 
him  who  was  foreordained  to  be  your  mate  and  father 
of  a  race  of  Maya  in  Yucatan.     He  was  indeed  a 


226  XILONA 

man,  a  man  with  every  virtue,  every  grace;  brave  in 
war,  wise  in  peace,  tender  in  love:  a  child  of  fate 
set  as  standard-bearer  of  our  race  in  its  hour  of 
greatest  danger.  From  him  you  were  turned  by 
illicit  love  that  struck  like  a  doubly-poisoned  dart 
into  your  heart,  to  follow  a  heathen  stranger  —  a 
captive  slave  who  mocked  our  gods,  confederated 
with  his  countrymen  to  subjugate  all  Mexico,  and 
who  despises  you.  Give  yet  pause  to  this  fond 
fancy,  lest  your  name  go  down  through  all  the  com- 
ing cycles  as  that  of  a  royal  wanton,  who  sacrificed 
her  people  and  gave  herself,  unsought,  to  their  de- 
stroyer. 

XILONA 

Sir,  your  speech  is  both  false  and  over-free.  I 
have  sinned,  but  I  have  sat  in  the  dust  of  affliction 
and  worn  upon  my  head  the  ashes  of  compunction. 
By  the  sacramental  power  of  a  religion  of  mercy  un- 
knowable to  vampires  of  your  breed,  my  repentance 
is  made  acceptable,  and  my  soul  is  cleansed.  Your 
power  over  me  is  broken  and  through  me  you  shall 
never  rule,  for  I  am  a  Christian.  (She  makes  the 
sign  of  the  cross.)  The  light  of  truth  begins  to 
shine  through  your  darkness  —  it  may  yet  shine  on 
Labna  and  on  my  people.  (She  starts  to  go,  but 
Achel  intercepts  her.)  Stand  from  my  path,  for 
I  want  no  more  of  you  and  your  false  gods. 


XILONA  227 

ACHEL 


You  shall  not  go. 


XILONA 

Sir,  am  I  not  Princess  in  Labna?  Obey.  I  go  to 
Mexico  —  and  to  the  Christians. 

[Site  moves  forward.  Achel,  without  a  word, 
seizes  her,  draws  his  knife  and  plunges  it  into 
her  breast.~\ 

XILONA 

[Shrieking.] 
The  black  wings  !    Under  the  shadow  of  the  wings  ! 
I  die! 

[Her  cloak  drops  from  her  shoulders,  and  she 
falls  upon  it.  The  moon's  rays  fall  upon 
where  she  lies  at  the  foot  of  a  gigantic  idol.] 

ACHEL 

To  the  gods  of  Anahuac  I  offer  my  supreme  and 
ultimate  sacrifice  —  the  life  of  Xilona,  Princess  of 
Labna.  The  hour  of  the  downfall  of  our  race  has 
come.  The  strong  men  are  betrayed  by  women. 
Treason  everywhere  amongst  the  tribes  and  peoples 
of  Anahuac.  Oh  !  blind  fools  !  But  for  your  treach- 
ery this  great  empire  had  not  fallen.  Your  pay- 
ment shall  be  in  kind,  for  your  fatuous  hopes  of 
vengeance  on  the  Mexicans  shall  be  thwarted,  and 
your  traitors'  souls  be  damned  to  all  eternity.  And 
you  Mexicans  who  survive  your  country's  ruin,  hold 


228  XILONA 

us  faithful  ones  in  remembrance!  You  shall  greet 
one  another  with  weeping  in  the  accursed  days  to 
come.  Your  food  shall  be  made  bitter  and  your 
drink  shall  be  made  bitter  in  the  days  of  your  slavery 
to  the  stranger.  Your  voices  shall  forget  to  sing 
and  your  feet  shall  no  longer  dance,  nor  shall  your 
sad  eyes  be  gladdened  by  beholding  things  of  joy. 
Amidst  the  future  races  of  this  land  you  shall  be  a 
silent  people.  The  prophecies  of  old  are  now  ful- 
filled ;  and  to-day  the  sun  of  Anahuac  sets  forever  in 
a  sea  of  blood,  and  the  name  of  a  great  people  be- 
comes but  a  memory.  I  am  high  priest  of  Yucatan. 
Never  will  I  bow  beneath  the  yoke  of  alien  servitude, 
nor  bend  my  knee  before  the  Spanish  god. 

[He  signals,  and  three  Indians  appear.  They 
make  a  litter  of  branches.  Xicotencal's 
body  is  cut  down  and  reverently  laid  upon  the 
litter,  which  the  men  raise.  The  other  In- 
dian lights  a  torch.~\ 

ACHEL 

Come,  Xicotencal,  last  of  our  warriors,  last  of  our 
braves !  together  with  me,  Achel,  last  of  the  priests ! 
Let  us  now  go  hence  to  our  refuge  within  the  holy 
mountain.  Within  its  walls  of  ice  there  dwell  the 
spirits  of  our  kings  and  priests  of  old,  guarded  by 
the  eternal  fires  that  blaze  from  its  summit.  Into 
these  fiery  depths  —  our  last,  our  only  refuge  —  we 


XILONA  229 

will  descend  together  —  the  last  of  the  warriors  and 
the  last  of  the  priests  —  together  —  together. 

[The  little  procession  forms.  First  the  Torch- 
bearers,  then  the  Bearers  with  the  litter,  and 
last  Achel  going  up  a  steep  path  which  ob- 
viously leads  to  the  crater  of  the  volcano. 
The  body  of  Princess  Xieona  lies  at  the  foot 
of  the  gigantic  idol,  where  Achel  has  laid 
her. 
Geronimo,  bearing  aloft  the  torch,  pushes  aside 
the  creepers  that  all  but  conceal  the  entrance 
to  the  cavern  under  the  fortress,  and  enters. 
He  presently  perceives  Xilona's  body.  He 
kneels  beside  her,  raises  her  up  and  finds  she 
is  dead,  with  Achel's  sacrificial  knife  beside 
her.  With  arms  outstretched  in  prayer  and 
his  eyes  raised  to  heaven,  he  exclaims:'] 

GERONIMO 

Xilona,  virgin  and  martyr ! 

[A  nimbus  forms  about  her  head,  and  the  vul- 
tures drop  silently  into  the  abyss.] 


CURTAIN 


Ill 

THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

A  Comedy  in  Three  Acts 


Characters 
Sisto  Santucci,  an  escaped  Convict. 
Don  Marco  di  Teramo. 
Guido,  Duke  of  Teramo,  his  elder  brother. 
Filippo   di    Rossi,   a  Neapolitan;  Agent   of  the  French 

Embassy. 
Marquis  Dei  Sestri,  a  gambler. 
Negroni,  a  doctor. 

Monsignor  Serafini,  Chaplain  to  the  Duchess. 
Valentini,  a  lawyer. 
A  Roman  Cardinal. 
Gelasio,  a  footman  at  La  Marinella's. 
Torquato,  a  footman. 
Duchess  of  Teramo. 

Mari  'Elena  Santucci.,  known  as  La  Marinella. 
Countess  Cavalese. 
Donna  Angela,  her  daughter. 
Baroness  Ottavia 


(Relatives  to  the  Duchess. 
Donna  trancesca  ) 

Lady  Charles  Wicklow,  an  American  divorcee. 

Mrs.  Montgomery-Potts,  her  sister,  a  widow. 

Madame  Dubosc,  housekeeper  at  La  Marinella's. 

Teresa,  maid  to  the  Duchess. 

Women  of  the  demi-monde  at  La  Marinella's;  Noble- 
guards,  French  Officers,  Diplomats  and  Roman  Gentle- 
men. 

The  action  of  the  play,  which  is  laid  in  Rome  in  the 
year  1867,  begins  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  and 
finishes  at  eleven  the  following  morning.  Two  stage 
settings  are  required.  One  represents  a  stately,  rather 
sombrely  magnificent  salon  in  a  XVIIth  Century  Roman 
palace.  The  other  represents  a  showy,  garish  room  of 
the  second  empire.  The  costumes  are  in  the  height  of 
the  prevailing  fashion  of  that  period,  showing  great 
variety  and  every  eccentricity  affected  by  the  belles  and 
the  fops  of  the  day. 


ACT  I 


ACT  I 

(To  play  one  hour) 

Scene  I 

The  private  salon  of  the  Duchess  of  Teramo;  a 
stately,  sombre  room  in  the  palatial  Roman  style; 
the  walls  are  covered  with  red  damask  on  which 
hang  many  portraits  of  ancestors;  the  ceiling  is  of 
carved,  gilded  wood.  Entrances  through  double 
doors  set  in  Renaissance  frames  of  mottled  marble 
to  the  right  and  left  front  and  in  the  centre  bach; 
also  a  small  damask-covered  door  to  the  right 
back.  Centre  doors  are  open,  showing  room  be- 
yond in  which  a  charity  bazaar  is  being  held;  peo- 
ple seen  moving  to  and  fro.  A  large  open  fire- 
place supported  by  caryatides  and  surmounted  by 
a  mirror  in  richly  gilded  frame,  to  the  right;  op- 
posite it  stands  a  massive  inlaid  cabinet  with  many 
drawers.  The  furniture  consists  of  a  pair  of  gilt 
consoles,  right  and  left  back;  and  of  stiff,  ponder- 
ous chairs,  covered  with  damask;  a  round  table 
near  the  fireplace,  by  which  stands  two  throne- 
like armchairs.  Before  the  fireplace  stands  a 
235 


236  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

large  brass  brazier  of  charcoals;  a  few  chaises  vo- 
lantes  of  gilded  wood  and  a  three-darnel  screen  of 
tapestry,  about  -five  feet  high;  there  is  no  carpet 
on  the  floor,  which  is  of  coloured  marbles  laid  m  a 
pattern  and  highly  polished.  The  room  is  lighted 
by  candles  in  massive  gilt  candelabra  on  the  chim- 
ney-piece and  another  on  the  table;  tlie  great 
chandelier  has  unlighted  candles  hi  it.  To  the 
left  of  the  centre  door  hangs  a  large  portrait  of 
the  late  Duke,  dressed  as  a  Knight  of  Malta;  this 
portrait  hangs  low  down  on  the  wall  and  swings  on 
hinges;  it  conceals  the  opening  to  a  secret  stair- 
case. The  Duchess  is  seated  at  the  tea-table;  she 
is  a  handsome,  dignified,  distinguished-looking 
woman  something  past  forty,  beautifully  but 
rather  soberly  dressed  in  the  best  prevailing  fash- 
ion. 

Eight  persons  are  seated  in  the  room  besides  the 
Duchess.  Baroness  Ottavia  is  a  portly  woman 
past  fifty;  she  is  dressed  in  dingy  mourning  and 
wears  a  mantilla  and  some  massive  old-fashioned 
cameo  jewellery  and  carries  a  reticule  containing 
a  large  prayer  book;  also  a  large  rosary;  she  is 
dark-browed  and  swarthy,  with  a  visible  mous- 
tache and  a  conspicuous  mole  on  her  chin. 

Donna  Francesca  is  a  thin,  nervous-looking  old 
maid  in  the  forties;  she  is  fancifully  dressed  in  a 
pathetic  imitation  of  the  prevailing  fashions,  car- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  237 

ries  a  fan  which  she  constantly  manipulates,  and  a 
beaded  bag  in  which  is  a  small  mirror;  she  has 
quick,  bird-lihe  movements. 

Lady  Charles  is  middle-aged,  showily  dressed,  very 
artificial  and  affected;  she  has  a  very  small  dog, 
beribboned,  on  a  chain. 

Mrs.  Montgomery  Potts,  portly,  pompous,  richly 
dressed. 

A  Cardinal,  correctly  dressed,  accompanied  by  a 
Prelate,  also  correctly  dressed,  is  seated  near  tea 
table.  As  curtain  rises  the  Cardinal  is  taking 
leave  and  is  escorted  through  centre  doors  by  the 
Duchess,  followed  by  the  Prelate.  Every  one 
rises,  ladies  curtsey,  etc. 

Negroni  is  shabbily  dressed  in  colours;  he  is  a  mid- 
dle-aged man,  wears  an  obvious  wig  and  has  mous- 
tache and  imperial. 

Valentini  is  a  thick,  ponderous  man,  dressed  in 
shabby  black. 

Torquato  serves  tea,  etc. 

duchess 
[Rising  to  accompany  Cardinal.] 
Your  Eminence  must  really  go? 

CARDINAL 

The  Canonical  hour;  I  am  never  out  after  the  Ave 
Maria.  I  congratulate  you,  Duchess,  on  your  suc- 
cessful bazaar. 


238  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

It  was  too  kind  of  Your  Eminence  to  come.  We 
have  done  what  we  could. 

CARDINAL 

Ah,  would  that  more  followed  your  example ! 
[Exeunt.  ] 

LADY    CHARLES 

Do  let  us  sit  down  again ;  standing  is  fatiguing. 

FRANCESCA 

Very  good  for  one's  figure  though. 

LADY    CHARLES 

Everything  that  is  good  for  one  is  so  tiresome. 
(Seats  herself.)  I'll  stand  some  other  time;  just 
now,  I  must  finish  my  tea  comfortably.  Isn't  the 
Cardinal  delightful?  Nowadays  one  meets  so  few 
men  like  that  amongst  the  clergy. 

NEGRONI 

It  has  been  remarked  that  vocations  to  the  priest- 
hood amongst  the  Roman  aristocracy  are  diminish- 
ing in  proportion  to  the  shrinkage  of  the  Pope's  tem- 
poral dominions. 

ottavia 
Negroni,  don't  be  flippant.     It  is  bad  taste  to  joke 
about    the    clergy,    especially    before    Protestants. 
(Glares  at  Mrs.  Potts  and  Lady  Charles.) 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  239 

LADY    CHARLES 

[Fussily.] 
I  am  sure,  Donna  Ottavia,  I  feel  just  as  Roman  as 
you  do ;  I  am  devoted  to  the  Pope. 

NEGRONI 

A  Papist,  but  not  a  Catholic. 

LADY    CHARLES 

And  I  am  most  interested  in  religion.  I  went  to 
that  French  Abbe's  sermons  at  St.  Louis  all  during 
Lent  and  he  almost  converted  me. 

OTTAVIA 

His  sermons  were  not  at  all  to  my  liking. 

NEGRONI 

He  made  religion  so  attractive,  Donna  Ottavia 
could  hardly  believe  it  was  true. 

LADY    CHARLES 

I  loved  to  watch  his  dear,  little,  aristocratic,  white 
hands.  And  I  was  told  there  was  a  mystery  about 
him,  about  his  birth.     I  am  sure  it  is  all  true. 

MRS.    POTTS 

Well,  for  my  part  I  find  Cardinals  rather  op- 
pressive in  society  and  I  never  before  saw  one  at  a 
charity  bazaar.  Of  course,  the  Duchess  can  get 
anybody   she  wants.     Didn't  I  hear  that   Countess 


240  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

Cavalese  and  her  daughter  had  arrived  from  Milan? 
I  don't  see  them. 

FRANCESCA 

They  arrived  yesterday.     They  have  gone  to  drive 
on  the  Pincio. 

MRS.    POTTS 

I   am   crazy   to  see  her.      (Duchess  resumes  her 
place. ) 

ottavia 

My  dear  Duchess,  you  must  be  worn  out ;  you  are 
a  martyr  to  charity. 

DUCHESS 

It  is  a  long  time,  Ottavia.     I  am  accustomed  to 
being  tired. 

[Enter  Marinella  and  Dubosc  leisurely,  cen- 
tre.'] 

MRS.   potts 
I  did  want  to  see  Countess  Cavalese,  but  it  is  get- 
ting   late,    and    everybody    is    going.      (To    Lady 
Charles.)      She  is  sure  to  be  at  the  Crescenzi  ball 
to-night. 

LADY    CHARLES 

Of  course ;  well,  let  us  go  then. 

MRS.    POTTS 

[Staring  fixedly.] 
Good  heavens  !     Look,  Delia ;  look  at  that  woman. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  241 

LADY    CHARLES 

[Fumbling  her  lorgnette.] 
Who?     Where?    Mon  Dieu!  why,  it  is  the  dancer, 
La  Marinella. 

MRS.    POTTS 

Precisely ;  sit  down. 

LADY    CHARLES 

Wild  horses   could  not  drag  me  from  here  till  I 
have  seen  the  end  of  this. 

FRANCESCA 

[Sotto  voce  to  Negroni.] 
Has  the  Duchess  seen  her?     For  sheer  insolence! 
Something  ought  to  be  done,  Negroni. 

NEGRONI 

Not  by  us ;  the  Duchess  may  be  trusted  to  dispose 
of  her. 

[Marinella  has  leisurely  approached  the  tea- 
table;  the  Duchess  sits  rigid,  ignoring  her.] 

MARINELLA 

I  trust  I  am  not  taking  too  great  a  liberty  by  in- 
truding in  your  salon,  Duchess. 

DUCHESS 

[Icily.'] 
This   room,   Signora,   is   for   to-day   a   salesroom, 
open  to  the  public. 


242  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARINELLA 

I  had  expected  to  meet  your  son,  Don  Guido,  here, 
and  to  ask  him  to  present  me  to  you. 

DUCHESS 

I  am  compelled  to  ignore  many  of  the  Duke's  ap- 
pointments and  the  persons  to  whom  he  gives  them. 
(She  rises.) 

MARINELLA 

Since  I  find  myself  in  a  public  salesroom,  I  pre- 
sume I  may  purchase  some  tea. 

DUCHESS 

[To  Footman.] 
Torquato,  serve  the  tea. 

[Exit   into   her   room  left.     Torquato   serves 
tea  to  Marinella  and  Dubosc,  who  stand.] 

dubosc 
[Angry.] 
Quelle    impertinence!     You    had    no    business    to 
come  here,  and  I  told  you  so.     Bah!  even  the  tea  is 
bad. 

MARINELLA 

It  is  charity  tea,  and  consequently  cold.     What 

else  can  you  expect  from  Pharisees.     Pay  the  man. 

[Dubosc  begins  to  count  out  money  from  her 

bag;   Marinella  impatiently  seizes   it,   and 

throws  a  roll  of  notes  on  Footman* s  salver. 

Dubosc  scandalised.] 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  243 

MARINELLA 

[In  a  loud  voice.'] 
If  there  is  nothing  else  here  for  sale,  we  may  go. 
[Exeunt    centre   door.     Exclamations   as   soon 
as  they  vanish.] 

LADY    CHARLES 

What  do  you  say  to  that? 

MRS.    POTTS 

Did  you  hear  what  she  said  about  the  Duke  being 
here  to  introduce  her  to  his  mother? 

NEGRONI 

Guido  is  capable  of  it;  I  only  wonder  he  failed  to 
turn  up. 

FRANCESCA 

Guido  is  a  beast. 

MRS.    POTTS 

All  Rome  will  ring  with  this.  Even  Don  Guido 
will  find  such  publicity  too  much. 

NEGRONI 

Guido  is  indifferent  to  publicity.  He  has  adopted 
the  principle  that  nothing  more  closely  resembles  in- 
nocence than  indiscretion. 

OTTAVIA 

I  am  amazed  to  hear  that  he  has  adopted  any 
principle  —  even  a  wrong  one. 


244  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

NEGRONI 

A  man  who  acts  on  principle  is  sure  to  become 
either  dangerous  or  ridiculous,  and  a  Duke  of  Te- 
ramo  who  drives  with  La  Marinella  in  the  Corso, 
nursing  her  pet  dog,  is  both. 

FRANCESCA 

Oh,  scandalous ! 

LADY    CHARLES 

But  nothing  compared  to  giving  her  a  rendezvous 
in  his  mother's  salon. 
[Enter  Rossi.] 

ROSSI 

How  d'ye  do,  Mrs.  Montgomery-Potts? 

MRS.    POTTS 

How  d'ye  do,  Rossi? 

ROSSI 

What  is  the  American  custom?  Does  one  con- 
gratulate your  sister  on  her  divorce? 

MRS.    potts 
I  tell  her  she  ought  to  send  announcement  cards 
to  let  people  know  she  has  resumed  her  first  hus- 
band's name.     She  is  now  Lady  Charles  again. 

ROSSI 

It  is  really  a  form  of  social  resurrection  for  poor 
old  Lord  Charles ;  it  will  keep  his  memory  green,  and 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  £45 

I  see  she  has  got  the  custody  of  the  dog.  How  d'ye 
do,  Lady  Charles?  How  d'ye  do,  Donna  Ottavia? 
(Sotto  voce.)  You  heard  about  Lady  Charles  get- 
ting a  divorce? 

OTTAVIA 

Divorce  may  be  the  custom  amongst  American 
tribes,  but  in  Rome  it  is  not  recognised.  I  take  no 
interest  in  milady  whatever  she  calls  herself;  she  is 
always  getting  into  some  mess. 

ROSSI 

This  time  she  has  just  got  out  of  one.  How  d'ye 
do,  Francesca? 

FRANCESCA 

Here  you  are  at  last,  Pippo,  after  everything  is 
over  and  everybody  gone. 

LADY    CHARLES 

Why  didn't  you  come  to  the  bazaar,  Rossi? 

ROSSI 

Not  I;  I  am  not  in  favour  of  relieving  the  poor. 
Poverty  is  the  only  picturesque  possession  left  us 
and  I  am  opposed  to  abolishing  it.  Fancy  Italy 
without  beggars !  Just  to  please  the  Duchess,  how- 
ever, I  sent  my  contribution  to  the  bazaar. 

FRANCESCA 

Yes,  one  of  your  charming  watercolours.  It  is  so 
nice  for  a  man  to  paint. 


246  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

EOSSI 

Only  as  a  pastime;  'pon  my  word  I  think  it  odi- 
ously vulgar  to  attach  a  money  value  to  pictures. 

NEGEONI 

I  never  heard  of  anybody  attaching  money  value 
to  yours. 

LADY    CHAELES 

What  were  we  talking  about  when  you  came  in? 
Oh,  yes,  of  course,  La  Marinella. 

EOSSI 

A  fruitful  theme;  what  about  her? 

FEANCESCA 

She  has  been  here. 

LADY    CHAELES 

In  a  ravishing  Paris  toilette. 

MES.   potts 
.     Worth. 

EOSSI 

Well,  after  all,  if  the  Duchess  opens  her  house  to 
the  public, — 

NEGEONI 

To  the  public  in  a  fashion,  yes,  but  not  to  public 
women. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  247 

ROSSI 

Negroni,  your  sentiments  reflect  the  collective  ig- 
norance of  the  community.  La  Marinella  is  not  a 
public  woman. 

OTTAVIA 

She  is  a  public  scandal. 

LADY    CHARLES 

If  half  one  hears  about  her  is  true  —  however,  I 
don't  want  to  throw  stones  at  her. 

ROSSI 

That  shows  your  wisdom,  Lady  Charles;  women 
should  never  throw  stones,  for  they  can't  throw 
straight. 

MRS.    POTTS 

How  old  do  you  suppose  she  really  is? 

ROSSI 

No  idea ;  younger  than  most  women,  I  should  say. 

LADY    CHARLES 

That  is  of  no  consequence,  a  woman  is  as  old  as 
she  looks. 

FRANCESCA 

[Aside  to  Negroni.] 
Let  us  hope  that  isn't  true  of  Lady  Charles. 

MRS.    POTTS 

And  then  I  suppose  she  was  cleverly  made  up;  all 
actresses  are. 


248  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

Not  any  more ;  they  have  ceased  to  want  to  be  mis- 
taken for  ladies. 

FRANCESCA 

Well,  I  thought  her  already  too  plump:  let  her 
think  of  herself  at  forty. 

ROSSI 

To  preserve  her  illusions  about  the  present  is 
sufficient  for  any  woman  without  thinking  about  the 
future.  Thinking  is  a  most  unfeminine  occupation 
and  no  beautiful  woman  should  ever  think  at  all. 

MRS.    POTTS 

Oh,  you  are  behind  the  times,  Rossi ;  the  modern 
woman  thinks. 

ROSSI 

Let  her  think  twice  then  and  she'll  stop.  La 
Marinella,  you  may  be  sure,  is  guided  by  an  instinc- 
tive and  subtle  philosophy  peculiar  to  her  sex.  She 
leads  a  life  of  pleasure,  and  pleasures  are  the  best 
antidote  to  advancing  age. 

NEGRONI 

Not  an  antidote,  only  a  narcotic ;  pleasures  merely 
stupify,  Pippo. 

ROSSI 

Strip  life  of  its  pleasures  and  you  rob  death  of 
its  terrors. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  249 

FRANCESCA 

[Giggling.] 
Oh,  isn't  he  dreadful ! 

ottavia 
Francesca,  don't  fidget.     This  conversation  is  too 
advanced    for   me.      In   my   day   ballet   dancers   and 
their  wickednesses  were  not  discussed  in  good  society. 

ROSSI 

My  dear  Donna  Ottavia,  your  memory  is  certainly 
inaccurate.  My  recollection  is  quite  different,  any- 
thing described  as  wicked  has  always  been  fascinat- 
ing.    Where  is  the  Duchess? 

FRANCESCA 

Gone  to  her  room ;  driven  out  of  her  own  salon  by 
La  Marinella. 

VALENTINI 

[Sighs.  ] 
Oh,  Madonna  mia! 

ROSSI 

That  does  not  sound  like  her.  The  Duchess  is 
not  given  to  retreating.  Is  it  true,  Valentini,  that 
Guido  has  put  a  second  mortgage  on  the  Castelfer- 
rato  estate? 

VALENTINI 

Eh?  What?  Oh,  don't  ask  me!  I  know  noth- 
ing —  nothing  about  it. 


250  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

NEGRONI 

You  are  the  family  lawyer;  it  is  your  business  to 
know. 

OTTAVIA 

It  is  Valentini's  business  to  hold  his  tongue,  and 
not  talk  family  secrets  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
town  gossips. 

ROSSI 

With  the  historic  Cellini  plate  exposed  for  sale  at 
a  Jew  money-lender's,  and  the  ball-room  tapestries 
hanging  in  a  Ghetto  pawn  shop,  it  is  idle  for  the 
friends  of  Casa  Teramo  to  play  the  ostrich,  Baron- 
ess. Guido  has  mortgaged  and  sold,  he  has  bor- 
rowed and  begged  until  everybody  avoids  him,  and 
it  is  now  said  he  actually  takes  money  from  La 
Marinella. 

NEGRONI 

Such  depravity  is  enough  to  make  respectability 
fashionable  in  Rome. 

FRANCESCA 

That  odious  Guido !  How  can  any  woman  be  in 
love  with  such  a  man  ? 

ROSSI 

She  is  not  in  love  with  him.  La  Marinella  never 
wastes  her  charms  on  the  unprofitable:  she  only  fas- 
cinates those  who  are  worth  fascinating.     There  is 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  251 

some  mystery.     Why  does  she  tolerate  a  man  whose 
vices  are  as  unattractive  as  most  people's  virtues. 

ottavia 
Gesu  Maria  !     What  a  conversation ! 

FEANCESCA 

What  is  that  dreadful  gambling  game  they  play  at 
her  house  called? 

OTTAVIA 

Francesca !     At  your  age ! 

FEANCESCA 

I  have  not  yet  reached  the  age  when  one  parts  com- 
pany with  good  manners. 

ROSSI 

They  play  rouge  et  noir  and  also  baccarat.  The 
Marquis  dei  Sestri  usually  takes  the  bank  and  he 
wins  thousands  for  her  every  night. 

FEANCESCA 

The  wicked  monster. 

OTTAVIA 

Right  under  the  shadow  of  St.  Peter's  dome! 
This  is  the  consequence  of  the  Italian  revolution  and 
the  French  occupation.  I  foresaw  it,  I  foretold  it, 
and  now  the  days  of  Antichrist  are  upon  us ! 
(Crosses  herself  and  resumes  her  prayers.) 


252  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

NEGRONI 

Eight  thousand  scudi  a  month  and  nothing  less, 
I  am  told,  she  clears  from  her  gaming-table  alone. 
That  is  a  pretty  figure.  Che  diavolo!  Why  doesn't 
the  government  stop  it?     Where  are  the  police? 

ROSSI 

It  is  an  open  secret  that  La  Marinella  is  in  the 
pay  of  the  French.  They  say  she  enjoys  high  fa- 
vour in  Paris  —  in  fact,  ahem !  the  very  highest 
favour. 

FRANCESCA 

Napoleon?     Oh,  you  shocking  Pippo! 

NEGRONI 

The  woman  is  a  spy. 

LADY    CHARLES 

Does  any  one  know  who  she  really  is? 

ROSSI 

She  is  from  Naples,  and  some  say  her  father  was  a 
Carbonaro.  I  remember  seeing  her  dance  at  the  San 
Carlo  twelve  years  ago.  What  dancing!  All 
Naples  was  at  her  feet.  That  was  just  after  the 
Duchess  was  left  a  widow  and  returned  to  Rome. 
Ah !  those  were  the  brilliant  days  —  that  was  life ! 
We  shall  never  see  the  like  of  it  again  in  Italy,  cer- 
tainly  not   in   Rome  under  Papal   rule.     Heavens ! 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  253 

we  live  in  a  sacristy  here  and  the  fashionable  perfume 
is  stale  incense.  When  Naples  became  a  province  of 
the  new  Italy,  La  Marinella  betook  herself  to  fresh 
triumphs  in  Paris  and  I  followed  the  Duchess,  to 
Rome.  And  look  now  at  the  illustrious  house  of 
Teramo.  Beggared,  and  Guido  actually  living  on 
La  Marinella's  money! 

FRANCESCA 

Suppose  she  means  to  marry  him? 

VALENTINI 

Oh,  Madonna  mia! 

OTTAVIA 

Oh !  Oh !  Oh !  The  poor,  dear  Duchess  would 
never  survive  the  disgrace !     Her  eldest  son ! 

ROSSI 

We  all  know  she  wishes  Guido  were  not  that.  If 
the  Duchess  had  her  way,  it  is  Marco  who  would  be 
Duke. 

NEGRONI 

If  she  really  wants  it  so,  thus  it  will  somehow  come 
about.     The  Duchess  usually  gets  her  way. 

ROSSI 

Even  fifty  years  ago  it  would  have  still  been  easy 
enough  to  eliminate  the  obnoxious  elder  brother  — 
a  fresh  fig  for  his  breakfast  or  a  cup  of  coffee  after 


254  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

his  dinner  —  but  in  these  degenerate  days,  it  is  not 
to  be  thought  of.  All  the  good  old  Roman  customs 
arc  vanishing. 

OTTAVIA 

[Severely.] 
There   are   subjects   better   not  discussed   in   this 
house. 

ROSSI 

But  this  is  not  one  of  them.  The  Duchess  takes 
no  pains  to  conceal  her  preference  for  Marco. 
Guido  is  his  father's  son  while  Marco  is  hers  and.  .  .  . 

OTTAVIA 

Pippo  !     You  are  treading  on  delicate  ground. 

NEGRONI 

Very  indelicate  ground,  I  call  it. 

ROSSI 

Don't  be  silly,  good  people:  I  know  the  ground 
I  am  treading.  When  Marco  comes  out  of  his  naval 
school  a  year  hence  he  will  be  enjoyed  as  one  of 
Nature's  broadest  practical  jokes.  Look  at  the 
faces  of  these  Dukes  of  Teramo  (indicating  the  por- 
traits) beginning  with  the  late  unlamented  Gian- 
paolo,  and  all  the  way  back  to  Elderico,  who  fought 
at  Barletta.  Is  there  one  of  them  to  whom  Marco 
bears  the  smallest  resemblance?  If  you  want  to  be- 
hold his  profile,  look  at  the  Neapolitan  coinage  of 
1850, 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  255 

OTTAVIA 

[Solemnly.'] 
Pippo  di  Rossi,  remember  the  honour  of  the  House 
of  Teramo. 

ROSSI 

Nobody  can  remember  what  never  existed.  The 
House  of  Teramo  is  rich  in  honours  but  poor  in  hon- 
our. All  the  men  were  false  and  all  the  women  faith- 
less, sums  up  its  history.  Our  dear  Duchess  was 
married  when  hardly  more  than  a  child  to  a  man 
double  her  age  —  and  such  a  man !  Much  may  be 
forgiven  an  ill-mated  couple,  who  have  nothing,  not 
even  their  dislikes,  in  common. 

FRANCESCA 

Oh,  Pippo !     You  are  really  too  scandalous ! 

ROSSI 

Mysterious  and  awe-inspiring  is  the  power  of  scan- 
dal. 

VALENTINI 

[Sight.] 

Oh,  Madonna  mia! 

[Enter  the  Duchess.] 

duchess 
[Smiling  and  saluting.] 
Good   evening,   Pippo.     Valentini,   do   count   this 
money.      (She  gvves  him  a  bag.)     I  am  sure  we  have 


256  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

made  a  good  round  sum.     I  thought  people  would 
never  leave. 

FRANCESCA 

As  long  as   you  were  there,  how  could  any   one 
leave  ? 

OTTAVIA 

You  sacrifice  yourself  in  a  holy  cause.     San  Pan- 
taleone  says.   .   .   . 

FRANCESCA 

Oh !  never  mind  what   San  Pantaleone   says,  Ot- 
tavia.     You  do  seem  to  know  talkative  saints. 

OTTAVIA 

Don't  be  flippant,  Francesca.     It  does  not  become 
your  years. 

FRANCESCA 

Cultivate  San  Bruno  —  he  never  spoke  at  all. 

ROSSI 

Did  my  picture  sell? 

DUCHESS 

Well,  no,  not  precisely.     But  we  raffled  it  at  the 
end  and  got  one  hundred  and  sixty  francs  for  it. 

ROSSI 

Very  fair !     Very  fair !     And  who  drew  it  ? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  257 

DUCHESS 

Princess  Crescenzi. 

ROSSI 

Excellent!  The  Crescenzi  Collection  of  water- 
colours  is  one  of  the  best  in  Italy  and  the  Princess 
Adela  is  a  woman  of  exceptional  taste  —  quite  a 
critic  —  my  little  sketch  will  be  in  good  company. 

DUCHESS 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  Adela  Crescenzi  said  she 
would  give  it  to  the  Blind  Asylum,  of  which  she  is 
patroness. 

NEGRONI 

Just  the  place  for  it! 

[Francesca  giggles,  but  the  others  look  sur- 
prised and  severe,  so  site  changes  to  a  cough.] 

OTTAVIA 

Francesca !  don't  fidget. 

ROSSI 

[Peevishly.] 
Stop  your  silly  tittering,  Francesca. 

MRS.    POTTS 

All  Rome  was  at  the  bazaar,  I  suppose? 

DUCHESS 

So  it  seemed  to  me.  Everybody  one  knew  and 
hordes  of  people  I  never  set  eyes  on  —  and  such  peo- 


258  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

pie.  Still,  I  noticed  the  most  objectionable-looking 
ones  spent  the  most  money.  Have  you  finished 
counting,  Valentini? 

VALENTINI 

All  but  the  small  coin,  Your  Excellency.  There 
are  more  than  eight  hundred  scudi;  the  odds  and 
ends  will  easily  make  it  eight  hundred  and  fifty. 

DUCHESS 

Never  mind  the  odds  and  ends.  Put  it  back  in 
the  bag. 

[Slie  takes  the  bag  and  puts  it  in  one  of  the 
cabinet  drawers.] 

FRANCESCA 

Oh,  splendid!     What  a  successful  bazaar! 

ROSSI 

And  the  Countess  Cavalese  and  Donna  Angela  — 
where  are  they? 

FRANCESCA 

[Ecstatically.] 
Sweet  creature,  Donna  Angela ! 

OTTAVIA 

The  name  of  Cavalese  has  a  bad  odour  in  Rome. 
Liberals  from  Milan:  and  Giulio  Cavalese  was  a 
friend  of  Cavour,  and  even  of  Garibaldi.  {She 
crosses  herself.) 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  259 

DUCHESS 

I  sent  them  to  drive  on  the  Pincio.  I  was  really 
too  tired  to  go,  and  besides,  I  had  to  stop  at  home 
to  meet  Marco. 

FRANCESCA 

Oh,  the  dear  boy ! 

ROSSI 

What  is  Marco  doing  in  Rome  at  this  season? 

DUCHESS 

That  I  don't  know.  I  wrote  him  I  would  take  the 
Cavaleses  to  Gaeta  the  day  after  to-morrow,  to  see 
him  and  visit  the  ships.  Instead  of  waiting  for  us, 
he  sent  me  a  message  last  night,  saying  he  would  ar- 
rive this  evening  for  a  stay  of  only  twenty-four 
hours.     That  is  all  I  know. 

!LADY    CHARLES 

Impatient  to  see  Donna  Angela,  no  doubt. 

ROSSI 

Ah  !  la  jeunesse!  la  jeunesse! 

OTTAVIA 

It  is  very  unfortunate  they  should  be  Milanese  — 
such  a  revolutionary  place.  San  Carlo  Borro- 
meo.   .   .  . 


260  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

The  property  is  also  Milanese;  and  I  understand 
it  is  a  very  fine  one. 

FRANCESCA 

Mercenary !     I  am  sure  Donna  Angela  seems  quite 
like  a  Roman. 

MRS.    POTTS 

She  will  Romanise  fast  enough. 

ROSSI 

You  forget  Don  Marco  is  a  Neapolitan. 

OTTAVIA 

[Contemptuously.'] 
There    are    no    Neapolitans  —  they    are    now    all 
Italians  —  whatever  that  means  ! 

LADY    CHARLES 

Well,  I  think  the  Cavalese  too  lovely  and  so  clever. 
I  hear  she  has  written  a  book. 

OTTAVIA 

She  is  sure  to  be  on  the  Index. 

ROSSI 

She  would  look  better  as  a  frontispiece.     What  a 
complexion ! 

FRANCESCA 

C'est  merveilleux !     How  does  she  do  it? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  261 

DUCHESS 

She  eats  an  apple  every  morning. 

FRANCESCA 

[Excited.] 
An  apple!     That  sounds  simple.      (She  looks  at 
herself  in  a  vanity  glass.) 

OTTAVIA 

It  sounds  suspicious.  All  the  troubles  of  this 
world  began  with  a  woman  eating  an  apple. 

DUCHESS 

Do  forgive  me,  dear  friends,  but  I  must  send  you 
all  away.  I  expect  Marco  any  minute  —  in  fact,  he 
should  now  be  here,  and  I  want  to  see  him  alone  be- 
fore Cavalese's  return. 

[All  rise  to  take  leave,  with  many  exclamations 
and  gestures.  Lady  Charles  and  Mrs. 
Potts  off  together,  first. ] 

OTTAVIA 

Good  night,  dear  Duchess.  I  wanted  to  talk  to 
you  about  the  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  House  of 
Loretto  —  you  must  be  one  of  our  patronesses ;  but 
another  time  will  do.  I  have  a  meeting  of  the 
Rosary  Society  at  my  house  in  half-an-hour,  after 
which  we  must  finish  the  novena  for  the  holy  souls  in 
purgatory. 


262  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

The  rake's  progress ! 

[Exit  Ottavia.] 
Good  night,  Duchess.     Do  we  meet  at  the  Cres- 
cenzi's  ball? 

DUCHESS 

You  know  I  never  go  to  balls,  Rossi. 

ROSSI 

Therefore  they  seem  dull  affairs  to  me.  But  what 
can  I  do?     I  must  go. 

DUCHESS 

Take  a  night  off  and  rest. 

ROSSI 

Impossible.  If  it  were  work  I  might,  but  this  is 
amusement.  Ah!  tempi  passati!  tempi  passati! 
{Exit.) 

FRANCESCA 

I  thought  you  might  be  taking  the  Cavaleses  to 
the  ball. 

DUCHESS 

No,  not  even  for  Donna  Angela  will  I  begin  again 
to  go  to  late  affairs.  Oh,  Francesca !  I  told  Teresa 
you  were  to  have  those  white  lace  flounces  of  mine. 
I  hope  you  will  like  them. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  263 

FRANCESCA 

Oh!  a  thousand  thanks.  They  are  point  d'Alen- 
9011  and  too  heavenly !  My  dress  is  rose-colour  — 
the  flounces  will  make  it  perfect  —  a  dream,  a 
dream !  Good-night,  dear  Duchess !  I  must  see 
Teresa.     Lace  flounces !      (Exit.) 

NEGRONI 

Fancy  Donna  Francesca  in  rose-colour  and  white 
lace  flounces ! 

DUCHESS 

Ah!  Negroni,  Francesca  is  fortunate  enough  to 
be  still  able  to  wear  rose-colour  —  to  see  things  rose- 
colour.  Such  easy  consolations  are  not  given  to  all 
of  us.     Good-night,  dear  friend. 

NEGRONI 

[Kissing  her  ha<nd.~\ 
Everything   is    rose-colour   to    those   who   possess 
your  friendship.      (Exit.) 

DUCHESS 

If  you  have  any  news  for  me,  Valentini,  it  is  sure 
to  be  bad,  so  we  will  let  it  wait  until  to-morrow, 

VALENTINI 

There  is  nothing  of  importance,  Your  Excellency. 
My  profoundest  homage.      (Exit.) 

[Enter    Teresa,    crossing    Vaeentini    at    the 
door.] 


264  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

[Torquato    extinguishes    some   candles;    closes 
centre  doors  and  removes  the  tea  table.] 

TERESA 

Don  Marco  has  arrived  and  asks  for  Your  Excel- 
lency. 

DUCHESS 

Yes !     Yes !     Show  him  in.     Where  is  he  ?     And, 
Teresa,  bring  my  chocolate. 
[Exit  Teresa.] 

[Enter  Marco.     He  is  aged  twenty:  is  hand- 
some and  wears  a  naval  cadet's  uniform.] 

MARCO 

Madre  cara!     Ah!  madre  car  a!     {He  embraces 
her. ) 

duchess 
Marco  carissimo! 

MARCO 

Teresa  said  you  were  expecting  me,  so  I  did  not 
wait  to  be  announced. 

duchess 
Ah!  my  dear  son!     What  a  pleasure  to  see  you! 
Let  me  look  at  you.     Why,  what  a  big  man  you  have 
grown !     I  am  losing  my  little  son  —  my  sailor  boy. 

MARCO 

No,  you  are  not,  madre  cara;  I  am  ashamed  to 
grow  up  so  fast.     But  nothing  will  ever  make  you 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  265 

look  a  day  older:  call  me  your  younger  brother,  no- 
body will  ever  know  the  difference. 

DUCHESS 

You  are  learning  to  natter.  Do  they  teach  this 
in  the  Italian  navy?  But  why  are  you  suddenly 
here?  Your  message  saying  you  were  coming  al- 
most alarmed  me. 

MARCO 

I  had  to  see  you  at  once,  mother;  I  could  not 
wait  a  day. 

DUCHESS 

Sit  down  —  here  by  me,  where  I  can  see  your  face 
and  hold  your  hand.  Ah!  Marco,  how  I  miss  you! 
You  are  my  only  joy,  my  only  consolation. 

MARCO 

But  you  have  Guido  here.   .  .   . 

DUCHESS 

Guido !  Don't  speak  to  me  of  your  brother, 
Marco !     He  is  ruining  himself  and  all  of  us. 

MARCO 

Wasting  his  substance  on  the  beautiful  Marinella, 
I  hear. 

DUCHESS 

You  hear  such  things  even  in  Gaeta? 

MARCO 

Even  in  Gaeta. 


266  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

We  will  not  spoil  this  precious  hour  talking  of 
Guido.  Let  us  talk  about  you,  my  son.  Now,  why 
have  you  come? 

MARCO 

Well,  you  see,  mother,  it  is  like  this :  I  got  your 
letter  saying  you  were  bringing  Countess  Cavalese 
and  her  daughter  to  Gaeta. 

DUCHESS 

Well,  why  did  you  not  wait  two  days  and  see  us 
there  ? 

MARCO 

Because  I  read  between  the  lines  of  what  you  wrote 
about  Donna  Angela  —  about  her  beauty  —  and  her 
fortune.   .   .   . 

DUCHESS 

I  meant  you  to  do  that,  Marco.  You  are  young 
in  years  to  think  of  marriage,  but  your  future  is  so 
uncertain  that  I  feel  this  opportunity  should  not  be 
lost.  You  are  the  cadet  of  our  house  —  unhappily 
—  and  there  is  no  provision  for  you.  Even  the 
little  I  had  saved  for  you  is  vanishing  —  eaten  up 
by  Guido's  extravagance.  I  have  had  to  sacrifice 
to  him  the  sums  I  had  put  aside  for  you. 

MARCO 

You  had  to? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS         267 

DUCHESS 

For  very  shame's  sake:  to  stave  off  a  little  longer 
the  disgrace  he  seems  bent  on  bringing  upon  us  all ; 
and  now  when  ruin  is  literally  at  our  door,  appears 
my  old  friend,  Maria  Cavalese,  with  her  only  daugh- 
ter, sole  heiress  to  immense  properties ;  and  beauti- 
ful, and  charming.  I  have  not  written  you  half 
enough  about  her,  because  I  want  you  to  discover 
for  yourself  how  lovely  she  is. 

MARCO 

Don't,  mother,  don't  talk  of  it!  That  is  why  I 
have  come,  I  don't  want  to  see  Donna  Angela,  I  don't 
want  to  hear  about  her.  It  was  to  prevent  you  from 
compromising  yourself  or  me  with  her  mother  that  I 
hastened  to  Rome.      I  cannot  marry  Donna  Angela. 

DUCHESS 

You  have  not  even  seen  her.  What  can  you  have 
against  Angela  Cavalese? 

MARCO 

She  is  a  woman. 

DUCHESS 

That  is  hardly  an  objection  to  marrying  her. 

MARCO 

Yes,  it  is.     She  is  the  wrong  woman. 

DUCHESS 

Do  you  mean  to  say  there  is  a  right  woman? 


268  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARCO 

Yes. 

DUCHESS 

Who  is  she? 

MARCO 

I  don't  know  who  she  is :  that  is  another  reason 
why  I  have  come  —  to  find  out. 

[Enter  Teresa.     She  carries  a  silver  tray  with 
chocolate.  ] 

TERESA 

Your  Excellency's  chocolate. 

DUCHESS 

Put  it  on  the  console  and  leave  the  room. 

[Exit  Teresa.] 
To  find  out,  did  you  say? 

MARCO 

Yes,  to  find  out.  Listen,  mother,  and  I  will  tell 
you  my  story,  for  it  is  not  long. 

DUCHESS 

Long  or  short,  I  must  hear  every  word  of  it.  Go 
on. 

MARCO 

It  happened  like  this.  You  remember  I  had  some 
conditions  from  my  June  exams  to  work  off,  and  so 
was  kept  in  Gaeta  during  the  September  holidays? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  269 

DUCHESS 

Yes,  indeed.  It  was  a  cruel  disappointment  to  me 
that  jou  could  not  come  home.     Well? 

MARCO 

Every  morning  about  nine  o'clock,  I  rowed  myself 
a  league  down  the  coast  to  a  small  inlet  where  I  used 
to  swim  and  then  take  a  sun-bath  in  the  warm  sands. 
The  little  cove  was  quite  shut  in  and,  I  thought*,  en- 
tirely solitary ;  but  one  day  as  I  lay  there,  a  red  rose 
dropped  upon  me.  I  looked  at  the  thick  shrubbery 
on  the  bank  above  me,  but  saw  no  one;  I  fell  to  won- 
dering, when  presently  a  second  rose  dropped  upon 
me.  This  time  I  sprang  to  my  feet  and  there,  framed 
in  the  jasmine  a  few  feet  above  my  head,  I  saw  a  face 
—  the  most  beautiful  face  in  the  world  —  as  beauti- 
ful as  yours,  madre  car  a! 

DUCHESS 

A  face!     Whose  face? 

MARCO 

Elena's. 

DUCHESS 

Elena !  A  woman  ?  Spying  on  you  when  you 
were  naked? 

MARCO 

Well  —  all  but  — 

DUCHESS 

The  shameless  creature ! 


270  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARCO 

Oh  no !     She  is  a  widow. 

DUCHESS 

A  widow? 

MARCO 

I  found  that  out  afterwards.  At  the  time  —  for 
a  moment,  I  really  did  not  think  about  clothes  —  I 
only  thought  of  the  beautiful  vision  framed  in  the 
jasmine. 

DUCHESS 

That  may  explain  your  forgetfulness  of  propriety, 
but  it  does  not  excuse  her  immodesty  —  her  effron- 
tery! 

MARCO 

As  soon  as  I  realised,  I  covered  myself  with  the 
bath  towel. 

DUCHESS 

The  bath  towel ! 

MARCO 

It  was  quite  a  large  one. 

DUCHESS 

And  then  what  happened? 

MARCO 

We  began  to  talk. 

DUCHESS 

About  what? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  271 

MARCO 

About  ourselves :  I  asked  her  if  I  might  come  up  to 
where  she  was,  or  would  she  come  down ;  but  she  said 
we  must  stop  where  we  were.  I  don't  know  exactly 
what  we  did  say.  I  suppose  we  talked  as  people  do 
under  such  circumstances. 

DUCHESS 

The  circumstances  are  fortunately  so  rare,  I  can 
imagine  no  rules  to  govern  them. 

MARCO 

Then  we  told  one  another  our  names  —  only  our 
Christian  names,  for  she  would  not  tell  me  her  family 
name ;  she  said  she  did  not  care  who  I  was  and  would 
rather  not  know.  She  would  call  me  Marco  and  I 
must  call  her  Elena,  and  that  was  enough ;  she  would 
not  tell  me  her  family  name. 

DUCHESS 

Probably  she  has  none. 

MARCO 

Oh,  yes,  she  has ;  she  has  an  aunt. 

DUCHESS 

That  shows  some  forethought ;  but  aunts  abound. 
Even  the  most  improvident  may  have  an  aunt. 

MARCO 

She  said  she  was  staying  at  her  aunt's  villa  just 


Ti%  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

above  the  cove  and  that  she  also  bathed  there  every 
morning  at  eight  o'clock;  then  she  disappeared. 
The  next  morning  I  came  at  eight  o'clock  —  and  so 
it  began.  Oh,  madre  car  a!  I  know  it  sounds 
strange  and  unconventional  —  I  realise  how  hard  it 
is  to  make  you  understand.  But  at  the  time  —  in 
our  little  cove  by  the  blue  sea,  everything  seemed 
natural  and  right  —  just  like  in  paradise. 

DUCHESS 

There  was  a  serpent  in  paradise. 

MARCO 

There  was  none  in  ours ;  Elena  came,  every  morn- 
ing with  her  aunt  and  her  maid,  who  gave  us  choco- 
late and  pineapple  sherbet  after  our  swim,  while  we 
sat  under  her  white  umbrella  in  the  warm  golden 
sands.  Then  they  went  up  the  cliff  to  their  villa, 
and  I  rowed  back  to  Gaeta.     It  only  lasted  a  week. 

DUCHESS 

A  week  is  a  long  time  for  paradise. 

MARCO 

The  last  day  came  and  Elena  told  me  they  were 
returning  to  Rome,  where  she  was  to  stay  with  her 
aunt,  Mme.  Dubosc. 

DUCHESS 

Dubosc?  French,  evidently,  but  I  never  heard 
of  any  Madame  Dubosc  amongst  the  French  colony 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  273 

in  Rome.  Naturally  I  would  hardly  hear  of  women 
given  to  indulging  in  such  bohemian  antics  as  you 
describe. 

MARCO 

[Resignedly.] 
I  can't  make  you  see  how  simple  it  all  was. 

DUCHESS 

Your  simplicity  is  evident  enough  —  as  evident  as 
her  indelicacy,  to  use  no  stronger  term. 

MARCO 

Mother !  you  must  not  speak  so  of  Elena ;  she  is  to 
be  my  wife,  for  I  can  never  love  any  other  woman. 
I  cannot  live  without  her!  I  love  her!  Oh,  how  I 
love  her ! 

DUCHESS 

This  is  simply  madness.  We  are  too  poor,  Marco, 
to  be  romantic  —  romance  is  exclusively  the  privi- 
lege of  the  rich.  You  say  this  woman  is  beautiful; 
it  is  doubtless  her  business  to  be  beautiful,  for  beauty 
is  a  very  marketable  possession.  As  for  love,  the 
term  is  elastic,  so  we  will  not  discuss  that,  but  when 
you  talk  of  marriage  —  you  at  twenty  and  penni- 
less —  with  a  woman  of  whom  you  know  absolutely 
nothing,  not  even  her  name,  you  rave.  And  a  widow 
too!  Whose  widow?  She  must  be  years  older  than 
you. 


274  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARCO 

No !     She  is  as  young  and  fair  as  a  goddess. 

DUCHESS 

Then  she  can't  be  a  widow,  and  there  is  but  one 
conclusion  to  be  drawn  when  a  young  woman  mas- 
querades in  fictitious  weeds.  She  is  scheming  to  en- 
tangle you. 

MARCO 

But  how  can  that  be,  when  she  would  not  even  tell 
me  her  name  and  said  we  should  never  meet  again  ? 

DUCHESS 

She  understands  the  seduction  of  mystery.  Did 
she  give  you  no  clue  to  her  whereabouts  in  Rome? 

MARCO 

She  gave  me  her  aunt's  address. 

DUCHESS 

[Laughing  in  spite  of  herself.] 
Oh,  you  naive  child! 

MARCO 

But  I  made  her  give  it  to  me. 

DUCHESS 

Of  course  you  did  —  she  saw  to  that.  Now  listen 
to  me,  Marco.  I  want  you  to  promise  not  to  visit 
these  women  until  I  have  made  enquiries  about  them. 
Give  me  the  address. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  275 

MARCO 

No,  I  can't  promise.  I  have  come  to  Rome  to  find 
Elena,  and  I  must  see  her  to-night ;  there  is  no  time 
to  make  inquiries,  for  I  must  return  to  Gaeta  to- 
morrow. 

DUCHESS 

There  is  plenty  of  time.  I  will  send  Valentini  to 
the  chief  of  police ;  there  they  know  everything  about 
everybody  in  Rome,  especially  foreigners.  Within 
an  hour  we  shall  have  precise  information. 

MARCO 

The  police !  Never !  It  would  be  an  indignity  to 
set  police  spies  on  my  Elena! 

DUCHESS 

To  consult  the  police  register  of  foreigners  living 
in  Rome  puts  no  indignity  on  any  one.  I  may  be 
wrong  about  these  women,  without  your  being  right, 
but  even  you  can  hardly  expect  me  to  consent  to 
your  marriage  with  a  woman  of  whose  antecedents 
and  present  position  you  can  tell  me  absolutely  noth- 
ing. 

MARCO 

I  don't  care  what  they  are  —  she  does  not  care 
what  mine  are;  we  are  just  two  human  hearts  des- 
tined to  complete  one  another  and  be  happy.  Surely 
you  want  me  to  be  happy?  You  would  not  want  me 
to  marry  a  woman  I  did  not  love? 


276  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

The  happiest  marriages  are  not  those  which  be- 
gin, but  those  which  end  with  love.  I  promise  you, 
Marco,  that  if  upon  enquiry  we  discover  this  Ma- 
dame Dubosc  to  be  a  lady  of  reputable  position  in 
her  own  country  and  that  the  young  woman  is  a 
proper  wife  for  you,  I  will  not  oppose  you.  What 
more  can  you  possibly  ask?  Before  I  see  these 
women  I  must  know  who  they  are.  When  I  have 
seen  them,  I  will  tell  you  what  they  are. 

MARCO 

[Coaxingly.] 
You  will  love  Elena,  just  as  I  did,  at  first  sight, 
for  we  are  alike,  }^ou  and  I,  madre  car  a.      (He  seeks 
to  embrace  her.) 

DUCHESS 

[Repulsing  him.] 
No,  Marco,  this  is  not  a  new  toy  for  which  you  are 
coaxing  a  fond  mother.  From  this  time  forth  I 
shall  no  longer  treat  you  as  a  boy  but  as  a  man.  We 
will  put  sentiment  aside  and  act  according  to  com- 
mon sense.  You  may  rely  upon  my  shedding  no 
tears  and  making  no  appeal  to  the  affection  I  have 
supposed  you  felt  for  me. 

MARCO 

Supposed  I  felt !  You  know,  mother,  that  my 
love  for  you  is  boundless,  that  I.   .   .  . 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  277 

DUCHESS 

[Coldly.] 
No !  I  know  nothing,  save  that  you  are  disobey- 
ing me,  disappointing  me  and  causing  me  the  great- 
est pain  I  have  ever  known  in  all  my  life.  All  the 
care  and  love  of  which  my  heart  is  capable  have  been 
given  to  you  —  to  you  alone.  Now  I  see  that  I 
really  count  for  nothing  at  all  in  your  life.  Guido's 
conduct  has  humiliated  my  pride,  but  it  was  left  for 
you  to  break  my  heart  —  for  only  you  could  touch 
it. 

[Marco   tries  to  approach  her,  but  she  turns 
coldly  away.] 

[Enter  Teresa.] 

TERESA 

Countess  Cavalese  and  Donna  Angela  have  re- 
turned and  ask  for  Your  Excellency. 

DUCHESS 

Show  them  in. 

MARCO 

[Rising.] 
I  shall  go  then. 

DUCHESS 

No,  please  remain:  these  ladies  are  guests  under 
our  roof,  and  since  you  are  here,  you  will  do  your 
duty  as  their  host. 


278  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 


MARCO 

But  I  don't  want  to  see  them  —  it  is  surely  much 
better  for  me  not  to  see  them. 

DUCHESS 

Marco,  you  will  do  as  I  bid  you  this  evening. 
You  will  remain  here. 

[Enter  Countess  Cavalese  and  Donna  An- 
gela. Countess  Cavalese  is  a  middle-aged 
woman;  beautifully  and  very  fashionably 
dressed;  her  manner  is  vivacious  and  her 
speech  decided:  she  has  a  managing  disposi- 
tion. Donna  Angela  is  a  fresh,  pretty  girl 
of  eighteen,  over-shadowed  by  her  mother; 
she  is  an  accomplished  coquette,  however,  of 
the  demure  type,  and  during  the  scene  she  is 
using  her  eyes  on  Marco  with  visible  effect: 
she  is  exquisitely  dressed  in  light  colours  or 
white,  everything  about  her  as  dainty  and 
charming  as  possible.  Don  Marco  begins  by 
being  stiff,  almost  sulky,  but  visibly  thaws 
under  Angela's  coquetries.] 

countess 

Well,  my  dear  Isabella,  here  we  are  back.  Such 
a  crowd  on  the  Pincio !  And  in  the  Corso  as  well ; 
the  horses  fairly  crawled  the  entire  way.  It  re- 
minded me  of  my  father-in-law's  funeral. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  279 

DUCHESS 

This  is  my  son,  Marco ;  Donna  Angela. 
[Marco  bows.] 

COUNTESS 

[Expressively.  ] 
How  delightful  to  see  you  again,  Don  Marco.     It 
is  a  long  time,  but  I  should  have  known  you  any- 
where: you  are  really  not  much  changed. 

DUCHESS 

He  was  aged  four  when  you  last  saw  him,  Maria ; 
so  I  don't  know  whether  you  mean  to  be  flattering 
or  not.  Sit  down :  Marco  will  talk  with  you  while  I 
go  and  change  my  dress.  He  was  so  impatient  to 
see  Angela  that  he  could  not  wait  for  us  to  come  to 
Gaeta,  but  rushed  up  to  Rome. 

[Exit  Duchess  into  her  room.] 

COUNTESS 

So  like  a  sailor !  Such  daring,  impetuous  fellows, 
Angela  adores  sailors,  don't  you,  dear? 

ANGELA 

[Timidly,  but  shooting  a  glance  at  Marco.] 
Well,  mamma,  I  never  saw  .   .  . 

COUNTESS 

And  the  sea,  and  the  ships,  and  all  the  stories 
about  whales.     Now  let  us  sit  down  and  make  ac- 


280  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

quaintance.  Angela,  my  love,  sit  there.  Do  tell  us 
about  the  whales,  Don  Marco ;  it  will  be  so  interest- 
ing. 

MARCO 

[Stiffly.] 

I  never  saw  one.  There  are  no  whales  in  the 
Mediterranean. 

COUNTESS 

Of  course  not !  How  stupid  of  me !  Come  to 
think  of  it,  I  meant  sharks.  I  know  you  have  seen 
sharks  and  could  tell  us  thrilling  tales  about  them: 
but  don't  be  too  realistic  or  you  will  frighten  Angela. 
(To  Angela.)  You  must  not  be  frightened  at  Don 
Marco's  stories  about  sharks,  my  dear ;  sailors' 
stories  are  never  true. 

ANGELA 

No,  mamma. 

MARCO 

We  don't  have  sharks  at  Gaeta,  Countess.  I  am 
afraid  the  only  one  I  ever  saw  was  in  the  aquarium 
at  Naples. 

COUNTESS 

That  was  much  safer.  I  think  all  such  monsters 
siiould  be  kept  in  aquariums,  especially  in  Naples. 
It  educates  the  people,  and  I  am  told  the  Neapoli- 
tans are  dreadfully  ignorant. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  281 

MARCO 

The  Neapolitans  have  very  little  to  learn  from 
sharks. 

COUNTESS 

Oh !  naughty,  naughty !  I  would  not  have  dared 
say  that  about  the  Neapolitans,  but  it  is  each  one's 
privilege  to  abuse  his  own  people.  Are  you  here  for 
long,  Don  Marco? 

MARCO 

I  have  only  twenty-four  hours'  leave.  I  return  to 
Gaeta  to-morrow  afternoon. 

COUNTESS 

How  very  flattering  your  coming!  Not  for  me 
—  you  never  came  all  the  way  from  Gaeta  to  see  an 
old  woman  like  me  —  but  for  Angela.  You  do  feel 
flattered,  don't  you,  my  dear? 

ANGELA 

Yes,  mamma. 

COUNTESS 

That  is  right.  One  need  never  believe  flattery, 
but  one  should  always  enjoy  it.  We  don't  renounce 
our  visit  to  Gaeta,  however,  Don  Marco.  Angela 
loves  the  sea,  and  she  is  dying  to  go  on  board  the 
warships.  She  must  sing  you  some  of  her  sailor 
songs.  How  does  that  one  "  My  Rover  Bold  "  go, 
Angela?     "  I     love     my     rover    bold,     tra-la-la-la." 


282  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

(She  hums.)  Something  like  that.  Such  a  pretty 
song,  especially  with  a  guitar  accompaniment;  but 
I  never  allow  her  to  sing  the  last  verse,  for  it  ends 
sadly  —  quite  harrowing,  in  fact. 

MARCO 

I  am  afraid  I  am  not  very  musical. 

COUNTESS 

Indeed?  Why,  I  thought  all  sailors  sang  and 
danced.  The  boatmen  on- Lake  Como  are  very  musi- 
cal. One  of  them  at  Bellagio  last  summer  danced 
an  English  step.     What  was  it  called,  Angela? 

ANGELA 

The  hornpipe,  mamma. 

COUNTESS 

Yes,  that  is  it.  Don't  you  dance  the  hornpipe, 
Don  Marco? 

MARCO 

Officers  don't  dance  hornpipes. 

COUNTESS 

Well,  I  thought  it  a  very  pretty  and  spirited 
dance.  The  Italian  navy  should  adopt  English  cus- 
toms. We  are  all  very  English  now-a-days  in  Pied- 
mont and  Lombardy.  Where  would  United  Italy  be 
if  it  were  not  for  the  English? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  283 

MARCO 

Perhaps  the  Romans  feel  under  less  obligation 
towards  them. 

COUNTESS 

Naturally:  the  Romans,  being  indebted  to  every- 
body, are  grateful  to  nobody.  I  am  so  glad  you 
are  not  a  Roman,  Don  Marco.  Of  course  your  dear 
mother  is  quite  an  exception ;  but  she  has  lived  so 
long  in  Naples  and  is  altogether  so  clever  and  charm- 
ing, she  seems  quite  like  a  foreigner  amongst  them. 
I  think  it  shows  a  fine  spirit  on  your  part  going 
into  the  Italian  navy  instead  of  lounging  about  the 
Corso  all  day.  It  is  such  a  career  for  a  young  man 
and  is  becoming  every  day  more  popular  —  far  more 
so  than  the  army,  though  I  really  can't  see  exactly 
why  it  should  be. 

ANGELA 

Because  a  sailor  has  a  wife  in  every  port. 

MARCO 

Oh! 

COUNTESS 

Heavens!  child,  where  did  you  ever  hear  that? 

ANGELA 

My  English  governess,  Mrs.  Bartlett,  told  me  so. 

COUNTESS 

And  what,  pray,  does  Bartlett  know  about  it? 


284  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ANGELA 

Her  husband  is  a  sailor. 

COUNTESS 

I  did  not  know  she  had  one.     Where  is  he? 

ANGELA 

She  does  not  know,  but  she  thinks  he  is  in  one  of 
the  other  ports. 

COUNTESS 

Well,  I  don't  wonder.  (To  Marco.)  Bartlett 
is  a  very  superior  person  — -  most  painstaking  and 
methodical  in  teaching  Angela  English,  but  she  is  a 
Scotch  Presbyterian  of  unprepossessing  appearance 
and  very  grim  views  of  conduct,  so  it  is  quite  ex- 
plicable that  her  husband  should  seek  distraction  in 
foreign  ports ;  but  that  does  not  justify  her  asper- 
sions on  His  Majesty's  navy.  I  shall  reprimand 
Bartlett  severely. 

MARCO 

[Smiling.] 
The  wife  in  every  port  is  not  one  of  the  English 
customs  you  would  like  introduced  into  the  Italian 
navy,  Countess? 

COUNTESS 

Dear  me !  No.  At  least,  not  amongst  the  offi- 
cers. For  the  sailors,  poor  things,  it  might  be  tol- 
erated; the  women  of  the  lower  classes  are  so  rarely 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  285 

attractive,  and  then  it  is  reported  our  maritime 
population  is  decreasing.  (Glances  at  her  watch.) 
How  late  it  is !  We  can't  talk  any  more  just  now 
about  sharks  and  hornpipes,  for  we  are  dining  at 
half-past  eight  at  the  Spanish  Embassy,  and  going 
later  to  Princess  Crescenzi's  ball.  Perhaps  you  are 
coming  to  the  dance. 

MARCO 

I  did  not  know  there  was  to  be  one. 

COUNTESS 

That  makes  no  difference;  the  Princess  will  be 
only  too  charmed,  I  am  sure.  You  see,  Angela,  Don 
Marco  is  eager  to  come,  so' you  must  keep  him  a 
dance  or  two,  won't  you,  dear? 

ANGELA 

Oh,  mamma.   .   .   . 

COUNTESS 

If  you  will  pick  us  up  at  the  Spanish  Embassy 
at  eleven,  we  will  all  go  on  together.  That  would 
be  perfect. 

[Enter  Duchess.     She  is  dressed  in  a  neglige 
costume  of  soft  silk,  much  beilouncedJ\ 

countess 
Don  Marco  is  just  arranging  to  come  for  us  at 
the  Embassy  and  drive  to  the  Crescenzi's. 


286  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

I  was  reproaching  myself  for  not  going  with  you. 
Angela's  first  ball,  too !  But  you  see,  Maria,  I  have 
quite  given  up  balls  years  ago.  With  Marco  to 
look  after  you,  you  won't  miss  me. 

MARCO 

But  I  have  no  clothes. 

DUCHESS 

[Significantly.] 
You  won't  mind  the  absence  of  clothes. 

COUNTESS 

What  could  be  more  charming  than  this  uniform? 

MARCO 

[Saluting.'] 
Very  well,  Countess,  I  shall  call  for  you  at  eleven. 
Good  night,  mother. 

COUNTESS 

Au  revoir,  then,  at  the  Spanish  Embassy.  An- 
gela dear,  go  to.  your  room  and  get  ready  to  dress. 
I  shall  follow  immediately.  If  you  don't  know  your 
way,  Don  Marco  will  show  you. 

ANGELA 

Oh,  I  do  know  my  way  perfectly,  mamma. 

COUNTESS 

No,  you  don't.     You  are  sure  to  get  lost  in  this 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  287 

huge  palace.      I  confide  you  to  Don  Marco ;  don't  let 
her  get  lost. 

[Exeunt  Angela  and  Marco  by  centre  door.] 

COUNTESS 

They  make  a  charming  couple,  Isabella;  Marco  is 
fascinating. 

duchess 

Fascination  is  very  well  in  a  lover,  in  a  husband  it 
is  superfluous.     How  did  they  get  on  together? 

COUNTESS 

Angela  is  half  in  love  with  him  already ;  I  could 
see  that. 

DUCHESS 

And  Marco,  how  was  he?     Did  he  talk? 

COUNTESS 

A  little  shy,  perhaps  —  only  natural  and  very  be- 
coming in  a  sailor.  Besides,  Angela  is  such  a  little 
chatterbox,  Marco  did  not  have  to  talk  much. 

[Enter  Monsignor  Serafini  from  small  door, 
left  back.  He  is  a  typical  Roman  priest  of 
the  middle-class,  well  dressed  in  cassock,  with 
purple  buttons  and  stock,  wearing  a  large 
cloak  with  cape,  and  carries  his  broad- 
brimmed  hat  with  purple  tassels  in  one  hand: 
purple  stockings,  buckled  shoes,  grey  hair 
surmounted  by  zucchetto  of  black.] 


288  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

Ah,  Monsignor.     Are  you  leaving  for  Viterbo? 

SERAFINI 

Yes,  Your  Excellency.  I  bring  you  the  keys  of 
my  room  and  the  chapel. 

DUCHESS 

Very  well.  And  have  you  found  some  one  to  cata- 
logue the  manuscripts? 

SERAFINI 

I  have  a  man  in  view,  and  on  my  return  the  work 
shall  be  begun. 

DUCHESS 

Very  good.  By  the  by,  did  you  hear  any  par- 
ticulars about  the  prisoner  who  escaped  yesterday 
morning  from  St.  Angelo? 

SERAFINI 

No,  Your  Excellency,  except  that  he  was  a  very 
old  man  who  had  been  many  years  in  the  dungeons 
there  —  so  long,  in  fact,  that  nobody  now  knows  who 
he  was  or  why  he  was  put  there.  It  seems  his  rec- 
ord has  been  lost  or  mislaid. 

DUCHESS 

Ah?     Well,  it  does  not  matter. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  289 

COUNTESS 

Does  not  matter?  It  is  dreadful!  I  heard  the 
gun  fired  early  yesterday  morning,  and  it  gave  me 
the  shivers  as  I  lay  in  bed,  even  before  I  knew  what 
it  meant.  When  they  told  me  it  was  the  signal  for 
the  pursuit  of  an  escaped  prisoner,  I  prayed,  and  I 
have  ever  since  prayed,  that  he  might  get  away. 

SERAFINI 

He  will  hardly  do  that.  He  dug  under  the  walls 
and  got  into  an  underground  passage  or  sewer  that 
leads  only  to  the  Tiber ;  but  he  won't  stop  there  long, 
or  the  rats  will  eat  him ;  while  if  he  comes  out,  the 
patrol  boats  are  watching  for  him  and  will  surely 
catch  him.  If  Your  Excellency  has  no  further  com- 
mands, I  will  take  my  leave. 

DUCHESS 

Good  night,  Monsignore ;  and  buon  viaggio. 

SERAFINI 

Grazia.  Good  night,  Your  Excellency.  Coun- 
tess. 

\Exit  Serafini,  left.] 

COUNTESS 

Think  of  that  unhappy  old  man !  Kept  like  a 
wild  beast  in  an  underground  dungeon  for  years  and 
years,  until  nobody  even  knows  who  he  is  or  why  he 


290  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

was  put  there!  What  a  barbarous  prison  system! 
No  wonder  Sir  Gladstone  branded  the  Neapolitan 
government  as  the  "  negation  of  God  M —  and  the 
Pope's  is  no  better. 

DUCHESS 

My  dear  Maria,  these  sentiments  may  be  popular 
in  Milan,  but  I  must  caution  you  not  to  express  them 
in  Rome. 

COUNTESS 

I  would  cry  them  from  the  house-tops !  What 
would  I  not  do  to  help  that  wretched  man  to  escape 
his  pursuers !  Think  of  a  human  being,  crawling 
through  sewers,  pursued  by  rats  and  the  police  — 
vermin  both  of  them !  —  But  if  he  is  wise,  he  will 
trust  the  rats 

DUCHESS 

The  man  was  doubtless  a  conspirator  of  the  vilest 
type:  a  paid  assassin  of  one  of  the  secret  societies. 
Believe  me,  your  sympathy  is  misplaced ;  in  any  case, 
premature.  Do  you  realise  the  time?  Your  dinner 
is  in  half  an  hour. 

COUNTESS 

So  it  is.  And  yours,  my  dear?  When  do  you 
dine  ? 

DUCHESS 

Teresa   has   brought   me    some    chocolate.     Since 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  291 

my  cook  has  gone  into  politics,  I  have  given  up  din- 
ing. 

COUNTESS 

Wise  woman.     Well,  I  fly. 

DUCHESS 

I  don't  envy  you.  Prepare  yourself  for  a  dull 
dinner.  You  know  everybody  collects  something  in 
these  days,  and  the  Spanish  ambassadress  collects 
bores. 

COUNTESS 

How  restful !  Excellent  preparation  for  meeting 
the  lions  I  shall  find  at  the  Crescenzi's.  I  am  told 
Adela's  salon  is  a  regular  menagerie.  Good  night, 
my  dear. 

[Exit  Countess.] 

duchess 
Good  night,  and  buon  divertimento!     . 
[Enter  Teresa.] 

duchess 
Well,  Teresa,  what  is  it?     Give  me  my  chocolate. 
[Teresa  places  tJie  chocolate  on  the  table.] 

TERESA 

His  Excellency  the  Duke  is  here. 

DUCHESS 

At  this  hour !  Did  you  not  say  I  had  retired  and 
could  see  no  one? 


292  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

TERESA 

Yes,  Your  Excellency,  but  .   .  . 

[Enter  Guido.  He  is  a  rakish,  dissipated- 
looking  man  of  twenty-four:  dark  and  swar- 
thy, with  a  sneering,  scoffing  manner  and  in- 
tonation. He  is  handsome  and  smartly 
dressed.     He  nonchalantly  kisses  her  hand.~\ 

GUIDO 

She  did  her  little  best,  madre  mia,  so  don't  scold 
the  wench. 

[Exit  Teresa,  abashed.] 

The  poor  girl  is  not  fit  for  your  service;  she  lies 
most  clumsily. 

DUCHESS 

Teresa  has  only  been  a  short  time  in  Rome. 

GUIDO 

Fortunate  girl,  to  begin  in  such  a  good  school ! 

i  DUCHESS 

Your  visits  are  so  rare,  Guido,  I  was  not  expect- 
ing you. 

GUIDO 

Your  cordiality  suggests  that  this  one  should  be 
brief.  I  got  a  message  from  you  a  day  or  so  ago, 
saying  you  wished  to  see  me  —  so  here  I  am. 

DUCHESS 

You  have  taken  your  own  time.     I  never  see  you 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  293 

any  more:  I  don't  even  know  whether  you  still  live 
under  this  roof. 

GUIDO 

Of  course  I  do.     Where  else  should  I  live? 

DUCHESS 

I  don't  dare  to  ask,  and  I  don't  want  to  know. 
Your  uncle,  Cardinal  Gottifreddi,  was  here  on  Tues- 
day ;  that  is  why  I  sent  for  you.  He  came  to  speak 
about  your  affairs. 

GUIDO 

What  is  the  use  of  his  talking  if  he  does  nothing 
for  me? 

DUCHESS 

What  can  any  one  do  for  a  man  like  you?  The 
Cardinal  came  to  warn  me  of  what  is  imminent. 

GUIDO 

What  do  you  mean  by  "  what  is  imminent  "  ? 

DUCHESS 

I  mean  that  the  Pope's  patience  is  exhausted. 
You  must  either  radically  change  your  ways,  or  the 
Minister  of  Police  will  order  your  expulsion  from  the 
Papal  States.  Fortunately  I  had  an  answer  ready 
for  the  Cardinal,  and  I  secured  his  promise  to  obtain 
a  little  time  —  enough  for  you  to  leave  Rome  with 
dignity  rather  than  be  escorted  to  the  frontier  by  the 
police,  like  a  malefactor  or  a  conspirator. 


294  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

GUIDO 

This  might  sound  ominous  were  it  not  so  familiar. 
I  seem  to  have  heard  these  threats  before. 

DUCHESS 

They  are  no  longer  threats ;  they  are  decisions. 
The  very  morning  of  my  brother's  visit,  I  received 
this  letter  from  your  Aunt  Olympia,  which  I  showed 
him.      (She  takes  a  letter  from  the  table  drawer.) 

GUIDO 

I  can't  read  Aunt  Olympia's  writing.  What  docs 
she  say?  * 

DUCHESS 

She  invites  you  to  visit  her  in  Hungary  —  for  a 
long  stay.  She  has  two  charming  girls  stopping 
with  her,  both  pretty  and  both  daughters  of  im- 
mensely rich  Hungarian  magnates,  either  of  whom 
would  be  happy  to  become  Duchess  of  Teramo.  I 
promised  the  Cardinal  that  you  should  go. 

GUIDO 

I  don't  refuse ;  no !  I  don't  refuse  —  but  I  am 
not  going  just  now. 

DUCHESS 

It  must  be  now,  or  it  will  be  never. 

GUIDO 

First  of  all,  I  have  no  money.     I  can't  go  to  Hun- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  295 

gary  without  some  money  to  fling  about.     The  Hun- 
garians are  awfully  extravagant  people. 

DUCHESS 

Something  may  still  be  found,  and  Olympia,  who  is 
rich,  will  supply  what  is  needed  if  she  sees  you  are 
in  earnest  about  marrying.  It  will  all  depend  on 
yourself. 

GUIDO 

Mother,  if  I  had  a  few  thousand  francs  now  —  to- 
night —  I  could  triple  it  in  a  few  hours,  and  I  would 
go  off  to  Hungary  as  a  gentleman  should.  Get  me 
some  cash  now,  mother ;  I  am  in  luck  to-night. 

DUCHESS 

Gambling!  Have  you  not  yet  learned  that  no 
man  is  ever  lucky  when  he  is  needy?  Fortune 
thrusts  her  favours  on  the  indifferent. 

GUIDO 

Not  always.  Per  Bacco!  I  have  got  a  system 
worked  out  that  will  break  any  bank  going.  Give 
me  a  couple  of  thousand  francs,  mother,  and  I'll  pay 
you  back  to-morrow  and  have  enough  left  to  go  off 
to  Hungary  in  a  style  befitting  the  Duke  of  Teramo ; 
but  I  won't  go  amongst  those  rich  barbarians  with 
empty  pockets  and  sponge  on  my  Aunt  Olympia. 
If  you  want  me  to  go,  you  must  get  me  the  money  — 
and  to-night.     This  is  my  lucky  night. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 


DUCHESS 

Money  enough  for  jour  visit  I  may  be  able  to  get 
you ;  money  to  gamble  with,  I  can't  raise  a  penny. 

GUIDO 

If  you  can  find  the  one,  you  can  find  the  other. 
Don't  I  tell  you  I'll  pay  you  back?  Let  me  explain 
my  system.     It  is  like  this  .  .   . 

DUCHESS 

I  don't  want  to  hear  it.  I  can  raise  no  money  my- 
self for  any  purpose  whatsoever.  I  don't  possess  a 
jewel  or  a  trinket  of  the  smallest  value.  My  pearls 
are  false  and  my  diamonds  are  paste;  the  little  sav- 
ings I  had  put  by  for  Marco's  education  I  have  sac- 
rificed to  your  vices. 

GUIDO 

Ah!  you  always  have  a  private  hoard  for  Marco. 
At  all  costs,  that  little  brat  must  be  kept  going,  even 
if  I  suffer. 

DUCHESS 

Guido,  I  forbid  you  to  speak  so  of  your  brother. 

GUIDO 

[Sneeringly .] 
My  brother?     Don't  lay  too  much  stress  on  that. 

DUCHESS 

[Rising.] 
Will  you  leave  this  room  or  shall  I? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  297 

GUIDO 

[With  sudden  fury.] 
I  don't  leave  this  room  till  I  get  what  I  have  come 
for,  nor  do  you.  Your  grand-duchess  airs  don't  im- 
pose on  me.  I  know  how  we  stand  —  you  and  I. 
Pack  me  off  a  beggar  to  the  other  side  of  Europe, 
while  you  hoard  up  money  out  of  the  estate  for  your 
son  Marco!  You  think  me  such  a  fool?  Well,  I'll 
show  you  I  am  not.  No  man  of  the  Teramos'  was 
ever  jockeyed  or  hoodwinked  by  his  women  —  we 
know  them  too  well,  the  whole  damned  breed,  from 
duchess  to  courtesan,  and  mighty  little  difference  is 
there  amongst  them.  I'll  have  the  money,  and  I'll 
have  it  now.  (He  begins  to  pull  open  the  table 
drawers,  and  then  rushes  to  tlie  cabinet.)  To-night 
my  luck  is  on  me :  to-night  I  can  win  thousands,  thou- 
sands. Where  do  you  keep  it?  Where  have  you 
hidden  it?  I  must  have  money  —  money — (He 
finds  the  bag.)  Ha!  ha !  ha !  I  thought  so!  (He 
looks  eagerly  into  the  bag. )     I  thought  so  ! 

DUCHESS 

Guido,  give  me  that  bag.  It  is  not  mine.  It  is 
the  money  from  the  charity  bazaar  —  the  money  of 
the  poor. 

GUIDO 

Well,  charity  begins  at  home,  and  who  is  poorer 
than  I? 


298  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

Give  me  that  bag !  Give  it  to  me !  Give  it  to  me ! 
(She  tries  to  take  it.)     Guido !     I  implore  you! 

GUIDO 

I'll  give  you  nothing,  until  to-morrow.  To-mor- 
row I'll  repay  you  —  you  and  your  poor  twice  over. 

DUCHESS 

Are  you  a  thief?  You  rob  —  not  your  mother  — 
but  the  poor,  God's  poor!  You  shall  not  commit 
this  outrage!  (Struggling  with  him.)  I'll  call  for 
help.     I'll  denounce  you  to  the  police! 

GUIDO 

Denounce  and  be  damned.  (Wrenching  violently 
from  her,  he  pushes  the  Duchess,  who  falls  to  the 
ground.]  Don't  be  such  a  fool,  mother.  I  know 
what  I  am  doing.  Trust  me,  for  the  luck  is  on  me 
to-night.  This  is  my  night  —  my  lucky  night. 
(She  weeps.)  Hysterics?  Bah!  I  can't  stand 
them. 

[Eocit  Guido.] 

DUCHESS 

[Rises  and  moves  vaguely  about  the  room:  she 
stops  before  the  large  portrait  of  her  hus- 
band and  addresses  it.] 
This  unnatural  monster  is  the  fruit  of  our  loveless 
union.     He  is  your  dead  hand  still  clutching  onto  my 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  299 

life.      (She  suddenly  utters  a  sharp  cry  and  springs 

backwards.) 

[The  picture  swings  slowly  open  and  reveals  a 
small  niche  m  which  crouches  Sisto  San- 
tucci.  He  is  old,  emaciated,  white-haired; 
he  wears  tattered  trousers  and  shirt  that  ex- 
pose his  naked  arms  and  legs,  which  are  blood- 
stained: he  steps  from  the  opening  and  stag- 
gers towards  the  Duchess  with  trembling, 
outstretched  arms:  the  picture  smngs  into 
place.] 

SANTUCCI 

[In  a  weak,  tremulous  voice.] 
Signora  —  for  pity's  sake !  for  God's  sake  !  don't ! 
don't !     I  can  harm  no  one  —  I  am  starving ;  I  am 
dying !     Pity !     Pity  ! 

DUCHESS 

[Recovering  herself.  ] 
How  did  you  come  here? 

SANTUCCI 

I  crawled  underground  through  long,  dark  pas- 
sages,—  then  up  many  steps  until  I  heard  voices.  I 
groped  with  my  hands ;  feeling  the  wall,  my  finger 
made  a  hole;  the  light  shone  through  and  I  looked 
into  this  room.     I  saw  you  and  the  thief. 

DUCHESS 

Who  arc  vou? 


300  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

SANTUCCI 
I    .    .    .    I    .    .    . 

[He   sinks   fainting    on    the   floor.     She   raises 

him,   looks   about,   sees   the  cup  of  untasted 

chocolate  and  brings  it,  making  him  drink  it: 

he  revives.] 

Thank   you.   ...   I   am   sorry  .   .   .  but   I  am   so 

weak ;  I  have  had  no  food  for  a  long  time,  and  I  am 

freezing.     Thank  you ;  this  gives  me  life.     Did  you 

hear  the  gun? 

DUCHESS 

The  gun? 

SANTUCCI 

They  fired  the  gun  at  the  castle,  before  I  could 
reach  the  river:  after  that  I  dared  not  come  out. 
And  the  rats !  the  rats !  See  — {Showing  his  arms 
and  legs. )  .  .  .  See  where  they  bit  me !  I  fought  in 
the  dark  where  I  could  see  only  the  gleaming  eyes  all 
about  me  —  above  my  head  —  everywhere,  every- 
where the  rats  tore  at  me.  Once  I  crawled  almost 
to  the  opening  on  the  river  —  just  for  a  little  air, 
but  the  police  were  there  watching.  I  could  hear 
them  in  a  boat.  I  had  to  turn  back  and  fight  the 
rats. 

DUCHESS 

Then  you  are  the  prisoner  who  escaped  yesterday 
morning  from  Castel  Sant'  Angelo? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  301 

SANTUCCI 

Was  it  only  yesterday  morning?  It  seems  years 
ago.  It  is  now  night.  Hush!  hush!  There  are 
spies  everywhere  —  they  listen  —  they  are  watching 
for  me.  Oh !  Signora,  don't  let  them  take  me  back ; 
don't  let  them!  {He  approaches  and  looks  fixedly 
at  her.)  I  can  hardly  see  you,  for  I  am  nearly 
blind ;  I  am  like  the  rats  —  I  see  best  in  the  dark, 
where  I  have  lived  without  the  light  of  day,  so  my 
eyes  are  almost  gone.  I  can  just  see  your  face  — 
but  you  are  kind,  I  feel  that,  and  you  will  not  let 
them  take  me  back?  See!  I  am  an  old,  old  man. 
I  don't  know  any  more  how  old  I  am,  but  I  am  at  the 
end.  May  I  not  die  free?  Not  alone  in  the  icy 
blackness  of  that  dungeon  —  oh,  not  alone,  not 
alone  when  I  die !  It  will  be  soon,  very  soon,  but  let 
me  die  free.  Don't,  don't  give  me  up !  Die  free ! 
Die  free! 

DUCHESS 

My  poor  man,  you  have  nothing  to  fear  from  me. 
I  shall  not  give  you  up,  and  I  promise  you,  you  shall 
die  free. 

SANTUCCI 

God  bless  you !  God  bless  you !  There  are,  then, 
merciful  hearts  in  the  world. 

DUCHESS 

You  are  safe  here  —  at  least  for  the  present,  until 


302  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

I  can  think  of  some  refuge  for  you.  But  if  I  am  to 
help  you,  I  must  know  who  you  are  and  why  you  were 
in  prison. 

SANTUCCI 

Yes,  yes !  I  will  tell  you  everything  —  all  the 
story  of  my  ruined  life,  of  my  living  death. 

DUCHESS 

Sit  here  and  tell  me  the  truth. 
[He  sits  by  the  brazier.] 

SANTUCCI 

Signora,  I  will  speak  only  the  truth,  for  my  truth 
beggars  invention.  I  am  Sisto  Santucci,  of  an  hon- 
ourable family  in  Salerno.  As  a  young  man  I  lived 
in  Naples,  where  I  joined  a  small  club  which  met  to 
discuss  social  and  political  questions,  with  a  view  to 
spreading  education  amongst  the  people  and  to  ob- 
tain equal  political  rights  and  freedom  of  speech. 

DUCHESS 

Ah !     I  see  what  is  coming. 

SANTUCCI 

The  government  at  that  time  was  the  most  in- 
iquitous .   .  . 

DUCHESS 

Let  us  not  discuss  the  Neapolitan  government.  It 
is  your  story  I  want  to  hear. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  303 

SANTUCCI 

When  I  was  thirty  years  old  —  that  was  in  1838 
—  I  inherited  a  small  fortune,  and  I  was  able  at  last 
to  claim  my  promised  bride  —  my  beloved  Elena. 

DUCHESS 

Was  she  from  Salerno? 

SANTUCCI 

No ;  her  family  was  from  Capua  and  belonged  to 
the  nobility  of  that  province.  They  had  opposed 
our  union.  But  when  my  fortune  came,  we  eloped 
and  were  married.  The  hatred  of  her  family  pur- 
sued us  and  closed  all  doors  in  Naples  against  us,  so 
we  moved  to  Milan,  where  I  got  a  small  position. 
There  our  only  child  —  our  Mari'  Elena  —  was 
born.  Oh!  how  happy  we  were  —  just  we  three, 
with  enough  for  our  modest  wants  and  indifferent  to 
all  the  world  outside !  Ten  years  passed  —  ten 
years  of  hard  work  —  and  then,  in  an  evil  hour,  I 
was  chosen  with  three  others  to  go  to  Naples.  .  .  . 

DUCHESS 

Chosen  ? 

SANTUCCI 

Yes.  The  propaganda  for  a  United  Italy  had  by 
that  time  been  thoroughly  organised.   .   .   . 

DUCHESS 

I  understand.     You  belonged  to  one  of  the  secret 


304  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

societies  which  fomented  uprisings  in  the  different 
States  and  prepared  the  revolution. 

SANTUCCI 

We  worked  as  we  could,  not  as  we  would. 

DUCHESS 

I  remember  the  days  of  'forty-eight.  Well,  what 
did  you  do  in  Naples? 

SANTUCCI 

Nothing.  I  swear  to  you,  Signora,  before  God 
and  by  all  I  have  suffered  that  I  did  nothing  in  Na- 
ples. Three  days  after  I  landed  there,  by  sea  from 
Genoa,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  house  of  a  chem- 
ist.  .  .   . 

DUCHESS 

Chemists  were  suspects  in  those  days. 

SANTUCCI 

The  purpose  of  the  meeting  was  to  decide  upon 
certain  regulations  for  the  formation  of  local  com- 
mittees in  the  different  towns  to  work  for  the  cause 
of  Italian  unity  and  liberty. 

DUCHESS 

[Sarcastically.] 
Liberty  naturally.     Every  imaginable  folly  and  all 
crimes  have  been  committed  in  the  name  of  liberty. 
What  happened  in  the  house  of  the  chemist? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  305 

SANTUCCI 

We  were  hardly  assembled,  when  the  doors  were 
broken  in  by  the  police.  Several  men  who  knew  the 
house  escaped,  but  I  and  three  others,  including  Sea- 
lea,  were  taken  .   .  . 

DUCHESS 

Scalea  ?  I  remember  his  conspiracy  —  it  was 
planned  to  murder  the  King  of  Naples  and  the  Pope. 
That  explains  your  transfer  to  a  Roman  prison. 

SANTUCCI 

I  swear  to  you,  Signora,  I  never  had  seen  or  heard 
of  this  man.  I  was  not  a  conspirator  against  any 
man's  life.     I  knew  of  no  such  conspiracy. 

DUCHESS 

You  blundered  into  suspicious  company,  Signor 
Santucci,  and  some  blunders  are  as  fatal  as  crimes. 

SANTUCCI 

I  never  even  knew  of  what  I  was  accused.  I  was 
confronted  by  no  accuser,  had  no  trial  and  I  never 
again  saw  the  light  of  day.  When  my  poor  wife 
heard  of  my  arrest,  she  raised  what  money  she  could 
and  came  to  Naples.  She  had  one  hope  of  saving 
me  —  one  person  upon  whose  intercession  with  the 
King  she  relied.  In  her  convent  days,  my  wife  had 
been  friends  with  the  daughter  of  an  illustrious  Ro- 
man family  —  the  Princess  Isabella  Gottifreddi. 


306  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

Ah!  with  the  Princess  Isabella  Gottif reddi ? 

SANTUCCI 

Yes,  she  had  married  a  great  Neapolitan  gentle- 
man, the  Duke  of  Teramo,  and  in  those  days  she  lived 
as  Duchess  of  Teramo  in  Naples,  where  she  was  the 
reigning  favourite  at  court.     People  said  the  King 

—  but,  no  matter  —  perhaps  the  report  was  false, 
for  she  was  hated  and  envied  as  much  as  she  was 
feared  and  admired.  Taking  with  her  our  little  girl, 
my  wife  went  to  implore  the  Duchess,  for  the  sake  of 

their  former  friendship in  the  name  of  Christian 

charity,  to  speak  a  word  in  my  favour  to  the  King. 
She  humbled  herself  before  that  stony-hearted 
woman  in  vain,  for  the  Duchess  was  deaf  to  her  pite- 
ous appeal.  She  sent  that  broken-hearted  woman 
and  her  little  child  away,  without  so  much  as  a  kind 
word  or  a  look  of  pity.  When  this  news  was  brought 
to  me  by  a  friar  who  sometimes  visited  me,  I  saw  red : 
could  my  hands  have  reached  the  Duchess  of  Teramo, 
I  would  have  torn  her  into  shreds :  I  lived  thenceforth 

—  if  live  you  could  call  it  —  in  an  agony  of  anxi- 
ety for  the  fate  of  my  wife  and  child.  My  days,  my 
nights  were  haunted  by  such  horrors  as  only  a  help- 
less prisoner's  imagination  could  evoke.  In  every 
depth  of  misery,  and,  oh,  God!  the  visions  of  my 
loved  one  surrounded  by  the  iniquity  and  vice  that 
beset  defenceless  women  —  until  I  hoped  and  prayed 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  307 

for  her  death  and  that  of  our  little  girl.  I  called  on 
death  to  set  them  free.  And  I  called  on  God  to  curse 
the  Duchess  of  Teramo. 

DUCHESS 

I  am  the  Duchess  of  Teramo. 

SANTUCCI 

You?       You?     The  Duchess  of  Teramo? 

DUCHESS 

I  am  the  Duchess  of  Teramo.  So  Elena  Cavanig- 
lia  was  your  wife  ?  I  remember  her  coming  to  see  me 
in  the  winter  of  1848,  and  that  I  could  do  nothing 
for  her.  You  exaggerate  my  influence  at  court  — 
many  people  did  that.  I  might  have  helped  your 
wife  —  but  she  told  me  nothing  of  herself  or  her  con- 
dition. She  talked  only  of  you  —  begged  only  for 
you  —  she  asked  nothing  for  herself,  and  I  never 
again  saw  or  heard  of  her. 

SANTUCCI 

Only  for  me  —  only  for  me !  Ah,  yes,  Duchess,  I 
recognise  my  devoted  little  wife,  who  asked  nothing 
for  herself  but  thought  only  of  me.      (He  sobs.) 

DUCHESS 

Signor  Santucci,  believe  me,  I  am  not  quite  the 
heartless  woman  you  have  thought  me.  You  called 
on  God  to  curse  me  —  to  humble  me.  Well,  your 
prayer  has  been  answered. 


308  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

SANTUCCI 

Forgive  me,  Duchess ;  forgive  my  wild  words.  In 
the  long  years  of  solitude  and  silence,  I  have  suffered 
such  anguish  as  no  words  can  tell.  I  raved  and  beat 
my  head  against  the  stones :  at  times  my  reason  trem- 
bled in  the  balance.  Even  now,  I  don't  know 
whether  I  am  sane.  The  curses  of  such  as  I  could 
never  reach  you.  I  should  not  have  spoken  as  I  did. 
Forgive  the  ravings  of  a  desperate  man  —  forgive 
and  forget ! 

DUCHESS 

If  I  have  anything  to  forgive  you,  it  is  forgiven  — 
but  I  shall  not  forget.  Perhaps  God  in  His  Mercy 
has  given  me  the  opportunity  to  redeem  the  wrong  I 
unwittingly  did  your  wife.  I  will  protect  you.  I 
will  move  every  power  I  can  command  to  find  your 
wife,  if  she  still  lives,  and  your  child.  Twenty  years 
is  a  long  time.  .  .   . 

SANTUCCI 

Twenty  years?  Twenty  years?  .  .  .  What  year 
is  this? 

DUCHESS 

Eighteen  sixty-seven. 

SANTUCCI 

[Counting  vaguely  on  his  fingers.] 
Twenty    years.     That   was    in    1848,    and    I   was 
forty-three  years  old.  ...  A  lifetime  has  gone  by 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  309 

—  a  lifetime  passed  in  a  tomb.     Oh,  my  God !  how 
have  I  lived  for  twenty  years? 

DUCHESS 

Italy  has  passed  through  great  upheavals  during 
those  years  and  many  changes  have  taken  place  since 
1848 ;  but  with  patience  and  diligence  it  ought  to  be 
possible  to  trace  your  wife  and  child.  If  they  are 
to  be  found,  I  will  find  them.  I  will  restore  them  to 
you. 

SANTUCCI 

[Sobbing.  ] 
These  are  the  first  words  of  hope,  of  comfort  I 
have  heard   from  human  lips,   and  they  come   from 
you!     They  are  sweet  words.     Oh,  Duchess,  how  I 
have  misjudged  you ! 

DUCHESS 

Who  of  us  does  not  misjudge?  I  have  seen  many 
notable  things  but  I  have  not  yet  seen  justice.  My 
chaplain's  room  just  beyond  that  door  is  empty ; 
here  are  the  keys  to  it.  There  is  no  other  access  to 
that  room  save  through  this  one,  so  you  will  be  safe. 
Dress  yourself  in  some  of  the  chaplain's  clothes,  and 
I  will  let  it  be  known  to-morrow  that  you  are  a  cleric 
whom  he  has  sent  to  arrange  the  archives.  Come 
with  me  now  and  I  will  show  you  the  room,  for  we 
have  said  enough  for  to-night. 


310  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

sAntucci 
God    bless    your    noble    heart.      {He    kisses    her 
dress. )      I  only  pray  to  live  to  see  my  loved  ones  once 
more,  and  I  shall  die  free,  blessing  your  name.     May 
God  reward  you ! 

DUCHESS 

My  reward  is  now.     Come. 

[She  takes  the  candle  and  precedes  Santucci 
to  the  small  door  right.] 


CURTAIN 


ACT  II 


ACT  II 

(To  play  J^5  minutes) 
Scene  I 

A  showily-furnished  salon  in  Second  Empire  style. 
The  stage  is  divided  across  the  middle  by  archways 
partially  draped  with  gorgeous  brocatelle  hang- 
ings, beyond  which  stands  an  oblong  gaming  table 
for  baccarat  or  rouge  et  noir ;  the  front  half  of  the 
room  is  furnished  with  a  number  of  gilt  chairs  and 
two  small  tables,  one  to  the  left,  the  other  to  the 
right  side.  A  gaudy  glass  chandelier  and  appli- 
ques containing  candles  furnish  the  light.  The 
room  is  in  semi-darkness,  only  a  few  candles  in  the 
front  being  lighted.  At  one  table  sits  Madame 
Dubosc,  a  large,  coarse-featured  woman;  her  face 
is  sallow,  blotched  and  unhealthy-looking,  her  hair 
frowsy;  she  wears  a  shabby,  but  showy,  loose 
dressing-gown  and  is  m  her  stockinged  feet;  she 
speaks  with  a  strong  French  accent  and  is  telling 
her  own  fortune  at  cards.  La  Marinella  sits  op- 
posite, heedless  of  what  the  other  is  doing;  she  is 
a  woman  of  a  little  past  thirty,  beautiful  and  ex- 
quisitely dressed  in  a  neglige  costume  of  light  col- 
313 


314  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

our,  with  many  laces;  her  hair  is  dressed,  but  she 
wears  no  jewels. 

DUBOSC 

[Telling  the  cards.'] 
The    knave    of    spades    again !     Oh,    these    cards, 
these  cards ! 

MARINELLA 

What  am  I  to  do  about  my  boy?  My  Marco? 
What  am  I  to  do  about  him?  How  I  wish  he  had 
not  written  to  you  that  note ! 

DUBOSC 

If  you  had  listened  to  me  last  autumn  in  Gaeta, 
and  quietly  left  without  those  gushing  farewells,  none 
of  this  would  have  happened.  Whenever  you  neglect 
my  advice,  cherie,  you  get  yourself  into  a  mess. 
Why  did  you  give  him  my  address  if  you  did  not 
want  to  see  him? 

MARINELIA 

He  made  me  give  it  to  him.  I  should  never  have 
got  away  from  him  without  giving  it. 

DUBOSC 

You  need  not  have  given  him  the  right  one.  {Vir- 
tuously.) Not  that  I  minded  him  coming  here.  I 
have  nothing  to  conceal ;  I  have  not  deceived  him. 
Better  let  me  see  him  and  tell  him  the  truth. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  315 

MARINELLA 

Dubosc,  I  forbid  you !  He  is  the  only  man  in  the 
world  who  respects  me,  who  believes  in  me.  Come 
what  may,  he  must  never  know  the  truth. 

DUBOSC 

The  cards  are  bad  to-night.  I  should  like  to  know 
how  you  intend  to  prevent  him.  He  can't  stop  long 
in  Rome,  nor  come  here  often  without  finding  out  who 
you  are.  This  is  one  of  the  drawbacks  to  being  too 
well  known.      (She  deals  again.) 

MARINELLA 

But  he  is  not  going  to  stop  in  Rome :  in  his  note  to 
you  he  says  he  is  only  here  over-night.  He  told  me 
he  has  one  more  year  in  the  naval  academy,  and  after 
that  two  years  at  sea ;  by  that  time  I  shall  be  gone 
from  Rome,  and  he  will  never  see  me  here  —  nor  any- 
where. (Sadly.)  Perhaps  he  will  have  forgotten 
me. 

DUBOSC 

So  much  the  better.  But  if  you  don't  want  him  to 
meet  Sestri  and  his  crowd,  you  must  get  him  quickly 
away.  It  is  now  ten  o'clock  and  people  will  shortly 
begin  to  arrive,  besides  which  you  must  still  dress. 
Again  the  knave  of  spades !  —  a  second  dark  man  — 
and  money:  they  fight.      (She  shuffles.) 

MARINELLA 

I  know,  I  know !     It  will  only  be  for  a  moment  — - 


316  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

for  a  brief  moment  that  I  may  look  again  into  his 
honest  eyes  and  feel  the  charm  of  his  fresh,  un- 
tainted manhood. 

DUBOSC 

[Dealing.  ] 
Marinella,  is  it  possible  you  are  in  love  with  this 
boy? 

MARINELLA 

[Passionately.] 
Before  God,  I  wish  it  were !  He  is  such  a  man  as 
I  might  have  loved,  were  I  not  what  I  am.  Love !  I 
have  never  known  love.  I  know  only  the  loathsome 
travesty  of  it:  the  masquerade  of  lust  in  which  my 
womanhood  has  been  degraded.  This  lad  has  shown 
me  what  love  might  have  been  in  my  life. 

DUBOSC 

Come,  Marinella !  You  are  not  yet  old  enough  to 
be  sentimental.  After  all,  this  young  man  is  twenty, 
and  he  is  a  naval  cadet,  so  I  can't  think  him  quite  the 
little  saint  you  picture  him.  He  seemed  to  me  to  be 
rather  knowing  in  Gaeta. 

MARINELLA 

[Fiercely.  ] 
Stop !     I  will  not  have  you  discuss  him.   .   .  . 

DUBOSC 

Ca  c'est  trop  fort!  Mo%  je  suis  francaise.  .  .  . 
I  ... 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  317 

MARINELLA 

[Interrupting.] 
Neither  you  nor  any  one.  He  stands  alone  in  my 
life  —  as  a  symbol.  There,  there !  Dubosc,  no 
doubt  you  are  right  —  quite  right,  and  I  am  a  fool, 
but  —  but  we  all  have  foolish  moments  sometimes. 
You  know,  it  is  just  like  something  in  a  novel  or  a 
play  one  cries  over.   .  .  . 

DUBOSC 

Oh !  this  is  fatal !  and  the  cards  never  lie. 
[Enter  Gelasio,  L.~\ 

GELASIO 

Signor  Marco  asks  to  see  Madame  Dubosc. 

MARINELIA 

You  see  him  first.  I'll  come  back  in  a  moment. 
(Exit  hastily,  R.) 

DUBOSC 

Show  the  gentleman  up,  and,  Gelasio,  in  exactly 
fifteen  minutes  you  will  return  and  begin  to  light  the 
candles  —  not  later,  mind,  and  don't  wait  for  Sig- 
nora  Marinella  to  ring  for  you,  but  come. 

GELASIO 

Yes,  Madame.      (Exit  L.) 

DUBOSC 

That  won't  give  much  time  for  foolishness.     La 


318  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

Marinella  seems  a  trifle  wrought  up  to-night,  and 
there  must  be  no  nonsense  with  this  young  naval 
cadet;  he  is  doubtless  penniless.  (She  gathers  up 
the  cards.) 

[Enter  GelasIo,  followed  by  Marco.] 

[Exit  Gelasio.] 

MARCO 

Good  evening,  Madame  Dubosc.  You  got  my 
note  ? 

DUBOSC 

[Frigidly.] 
Monsieur,  I  was  much  surprised  to  receive  it.     I 
did  not  expect  to  see  you  in  Rome,  and  I  do  not  re- 
ceive visitors  in  the  evennig. 

MARCO 

[Abashed.] 
No?     Oh!  I  did  not  know  .   .   .  and,  well,  Elena 
gave  me  your  address,  and  as  I  was  in  Rome  just 
over  night,  I  thought  I  might  call  and  pay  you  my 
respects. 

DUBOSC 

Very  thoughtful  of  you,  I  am  sure.  Elena  will  be 
able  to  see  you  for  a  very  few  minutes,  but  I  must 
ask  you  to  cut  your  visit  short  as  we  have  an  engage- 
ment this  evening. 

MARCO 

Yes,  of  course;  in  fact,  I  have  but  a  short  time  at 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  319 

my  disposal,  as  I,  too,  have  an  engagement.  I  am 
going  to  Princess  Crescenzi's  ball.  (Hopefully.) 
Perhaps  that  is  where  you  are  going. 

DUBOSC 

Eh?  No!  oh,  no.  We  are  not  going  to  Princess 
Crescenzi's  ball  —  not  this  evening.  We  are  expect- 
ing some  people  here  —  just  a  small  family  party, 
something'  quite  exceptional  for  me.  I  will  call 
Elena.  (She  rises  and  goes:  sotto  voce.)  Princess 
Crescenzi's  ball!  (Then,  bridling.)  Et  pourquoi 
pas?  Je  suis  franc aise.  (Exit  R.) 
[Enter  Marinella.] 

MARCO 

Elena ! 

MARINELLA 

Marco  !     Why,  how  strange  you  look ! 

MARCO 

Strange?     How  strange? 

MARINELLA 

I  never  before  saw  you  with  your  clothes  on. 

MARCO 

So  you  didn't.     But  you  hardly  expected  to  see  me 
here  in  a  bath-towel? 

MARINELLA 

No.  .  .  .  No  ...  I  suppose  not.     But  I  did  like 
you  very  much  in  the  bath-towel. 


320  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARCO 

Ah!  that  was  when  we  were  outside  the  world,  in 
our  little  cove  by  the  wine-coloured  sea  of  Gaeta, 
with  only  the  blue  sky  above  us.  I  wish  we  were 
back  there,  Elena,  in  our  fairyland. 

MARINELLA 

Yes,  so  do  I.  But  there  is  never  any  going  back 
to  happiness.  If  we  have  it  once,  we  leave  it  behind 
and  always  look  for  it  ahead,  but  we  never  again  find 
it  —  never  again. 

MARCO 

You  and  I  shall  find  it,  Elena,  for  we  shall  find  it 
together.  Since  you  left  Gaeta  last  autumn,  I 
dreamed  of  you  by  day,  and  by  night  I  lay  awake 
thinking  of  you  —  wondering  where  you  were,  won- 
dering if  you  had  forgotten. 

MARINELLA 

Forget !  Ah,  no,  those  days,  fragrant  with  the 
scent  of  the  jasmine  and  resonant  with  the  sound  of 
the  sea,  are  all  my  youth  —  the  only  youth  I  ever 
had.  In  the  evenings  when  you  were  not  with  me,  I 
fell  to  star-gazing,  and  I  used  to  send  you  my 
thoughts  by  a  celestial  messenger.  Did  my  star  give 
them  to  you?  Perhaps  not,  for  the  stars,  though 
they  are  so  many,  are  given  more  messages  to  carry 
than  they  can  possibly  deliver. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  321 

MARCO 

Then  you  do  love  me,  Elena?  You  never  would 
tell  me  so  in  Gaeta,  and  I  have  so  longed  to  hear  you 
say  it. 

MARINELLA 

Do  I  ?  This  much  I  can  tell  you :  you  alone  are  in 
my  thoughts,  just  as  you  are  alone  in  my  life,  for 
you  mean  something  to  me  that  no  one  ever  did  or 
ever  can  mean.  I  have  never  loved  any  one  —  not 
since  my  mother  died,  years  ago. 

MARCO 

You  cannot  imagine  the  suspense,  the  anguish  of 
doubt  in  which  I  have  lived:  fifty  times  I  have  been 
on  the  point  of  coming  to  Rome  to  find  you,  for  I  was 
tormented  by  the  fear  of  losing  you.  I  saw  you  sur- 
rounded by  men  who  courted  you,  who  told  you  they 
loved  you  —  but  nobody  can  ever  love  you  as  I  do, 
Elena. 

MARINELLA 

I  believe  that,  Marco;  nobody's  love  for  me  can 
ever  be  like  yours. 

MARCO 

But  does  that  sadden  you?  Why!  you  are  cry- 
ing, Elena.  Why  do  you  weep?  Since  you  believe 
in  my  love  for  you,  you  will  not  refuse  it  —  you  will 
not  be  false  to  a  love  you  know  to  be  true.  We  have 
had  our  dream  you  and  I,  and  now  we  shall  have  the 


322  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

reality.  All  our  dreams  shall  come  true.  Our  idyll 
by  the  sea  was  perfect,  and  the  memories  of  it  will 
live  with  us  forever,  sweetening  all  our  future.  But 
now  we  must  have  done  with  mystery  and  come  out 
into  the  light.  That  is  why  I  have  come  to  Rome 
and  sought  you  out  —  to  tell  you  who  I  am  and  all 
about  myself.   .  .  . 

MARINELLA 

No!  No!  Don't  do  that,  Marco!  Don't  do 
that!  I  don't  want  to  know  anything.  I  want  to 
keep  you  just  as  you  are  —  my  dream-lover.  I 
want  nothing  changed;  everything  must  stay  just  as 
it  is.  Don't  spoil  our  idyll,  Marco ;  don't  tell  me 
anything,  for  I  can  tell  you  nothing  —  and  you  must 
not  ask  me. 

MARCO 

But,  Elena  dearest,  I  have  come  to  Rome  to  ask 
you  to  be  my  wife. 

MAMNELLA 

Your  wife?  .  .  .  your  wife?  It  is  impossible  .  .  . 
impossible.   .  .  it  can  never  be. 

MARCO 

Why  impossible?  What  is  the  obstacle?  Elena! 
you  are  not  .   .  .  not  married,  are  you? 

MARINELLA 

No,  I  am  not  married. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  323 

MARCO 

Perhaps,  then,  because  you  think  I  am  poor? 
Well,  dearest,  it  is  true ;  I  am  poor,  but  .   .   . 

MARINELLA 

No,  no !  It  is  not  that,  for  I  have  known  pov- 
erty, and  though  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  be  very  poor 
—  poor  as  I  mean  it  —  yet  I  do  not  fear  poverty. 
It  is  because  I  know  myself,  and  because  I  know  you 
better  than  you  know  yourself.  Why,  Marco,  you 
are  but  a  mere  lad,  while  I  —  well,  we  won't  talk 
about  my  age,  but  for  you  I  am  already  too  old,  and 
within  a  very  few  years  I  shall  be  really  old,  so  that 
you  will  marvel  at  your  own  blindness.  I  am  not 
the  woman  to  be  your  wife  —  for  I  want  you  to  be 
happy. 

MARCO 

I  can't  be  put  off  with  an  answer  that  tells  me 
nothing  —  that  is  no  answer.   .   .   . 

MARINELLA 

You  must  not  ask  me  more.  You  must  not  ques- 
tion me.     You  do  not  know  me,  Marco. 

MARCO 

I  don't  need  to  know  you.  It  is  enough  that  I  love 
you  —  for  the  rest,  I  trust  you. 

MARINELLA 

If  you  trust  me,  you  must  believe  me,  and  I  tell 


324  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

you  it  is  impossible  .  .  .  impossible.  Oh !  don't  you 
see  how  unhappy  you  are  making  me  —  that  you  are 
tormenting  me? 

MARCO 

Tormenting  you?  But  it  is  you  who  are  racking 
my  very  heart.  Listen  to  me,  Elena:  we  have  gone 
too  far  to  stop  now,  for  I  have  told  my  mother  about 
you  and  that  you  were  to  be  my  wife.  She  wants  to 
see  you :  she  wants  to  see  Madame  Dubosc.  I  am 
sure  she  will  consent,  for  when  she  sees  you,  she  will 
love  you. 

MARLNELLA 

You  told  your  mother  about  me?  What  did  you 
tell  her? 

MARCO 

Everything.  All  about  our  first  meeting  and  the 
week  that  followed  —  that  blessed  week  in  Gaeta ! 

MARINELLA 

And  what  did  she  say? 

MARCO 

Well,  my  mother,  Elena  —  you  see,  my  mother,  of 
course,  thought  it  all  sounded  a  little  strange  — 
rather  unconventional.  She  was  astonished,  and 
perhaps  a  trifle  shocked.  Most  people  hearing  about 
it  would  be,  wouldn't  they?  For  one  can't  make 
them   understand,   just   telling   about   it,   especially 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  325 

women.  But  everything  will  come  right,  for  my 
mother  wants  me  to  be  happy,  and  when  she  saw  how 
dead  in  earnest  I  was,  she  promised  not  to  oppose  me. 

MARINELIA 

She  promised  that,  without  even  knowing  who  I 
am? 

MARCO 

No,  not  precisely,  for  she  wants,  of  course,  to 
know  who  you  are  —  that  is  only  natural.  She  said 
that  it  was  only  necessary  for  her  to  see  you  and 
Madame  Dubosc  to  make  up  her  mind.  She  said  she 
had  never  met  Madame  Dubosc  in  society,  but  she 
could  easily  inquire.  She  knows  all  the  French  peo- 
ple in  Rome. 

MARINELLA 

[Feverishly.] 
There  is  nothing  to  inquire  about ;  she  need  not  in- 
quire, for  we  are  leaving  Rome  immediately  —  we  are 
going  back  to  Paris.  We  don't  know  many  people 
in  Rome  —  no  French  people  at  all,  and  Madame 
Dubosc  never  goes  in  society ;  she  dislikes  society ; 
she  only  came  here  for  her  health. 

MARCO 

Her  health?     She  does  not  look  like  an  invalid. 

MARINELLA 

No,  of  course  not,  but  she  is ;  that  is,  she  was  — 


326  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

she  has  heart  trouble —  you  see ;  she  is  much  better 
now  —  quite  restored,  in  fact,  so  we  are  returning 
to  Paris.  Oh,  Marco,  can't  I  make  you  understand? 
It  is  all  over  between  us.  One  thing  I  promise  you. 
I  swear  to  you  I  shall  never,  never  forget  you,  and  I 
shall  cherish  the  remembrance  of  your  love  forever 
as  my  most  sacred  possession.  Don't  ask  more:  let 
us  keep  our  happy  memories  —  just  that  one  week, 
Marco  dear ;  don't  rob  me  of  that !     Don't  spoil  it ! 

MARCO 

Elena,  you  are  treating  me  as  though  I  were  a 
child,  but  I'll  not  submit  to  it.  Memories !  Memo- 
ries !  Can  you  live  on  memories  ?  I  can't.  I  will 
know  what  is  the  barrier  between  us  —  this  mystery 
that  makes  it  impossible  for  you  to  be  my  wife,  when 
I  know  you  love  me. 

MARINELLA 

No,  no !  You  are  mistaken.  I  don't  love  you, 
Marco  —  I  love  what  you  mean  to  me ;  for  to  me  you 
are  the  symbol  of  a  love  I  might  have  had,  but  missed, 
and  it  is  now  too  late.  You  are  the  ghost  of  what 
might  have  been,  in  the  youth  of  which  I  was  de- 
frauded —  the  ghost  of  the  happiness  I  might  have 
had  in  a  life  that  was  denied  me.  What  I  say  is  in- 
comprehensible to  you  ;  is  it  not  ?  You  don't  under- 
stand  me,    and   thank   God   you    can't!     For   your 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  327 

youth  protects  you  from  the  knowledge  necessary  to 

understanding. 

[Enter  Dubosc.  She  is  in  full  evening  dress; 
very  showy,  and  wearing  flashy  jewels.  Her 
face  is  brilliantly  painted  and  her  hair  elab- 
orately dressed.'] 

dubosc 
Elena  dear,  it  is  very  late,  and  you  must  go  at  once 
and  dress.      I  told  Monsieur  his  visit  must  be  brief. 
[Enter  Gelasio  and  other  Servants,  who  begin 
to  light  the  candles.] 

MAMNELLA 

[Self -controlled.] 
Good-bye,  Marco.     It  was  good  of  you  to  come. 
As  you  return  to  Gaeta  to-morrow,  we  shall  not  meet 
again.      {To  Dubosc.)      I  have  just  told  Marco  that 
we  are  leaving  soon  for  Paris. 

DUBOSC 

Of  course  we  are;  at  once,  in  fact.  Now  go  and 
dress. 

MARCO 

Madame  Dubosc,  I  beg  you  to  listen  to  me.  I 
came  here  to-night  to  ask  your  niece  to  be  my 
wife.   .   .   . 

MARINELLA 

Hush,   Marco !   please,   please   say   no   more!     At 


328  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

least  not  now.  (Indicating  the  servants.)  You 
may  write  to  Madame  Dubosc  later,  but  not  now  — 
nothing  more  now. 

DUBOSC 

Monsieur,  there  is  no  time  now  to  treat  such  a  seri- 
ous subject.     Elena,  go  at  once  to  your  room. 

MARINELLA 

Good-bye,  Marco;  good-bye. 
[Exit  Marinella.] 

MARCO 

Elena!  Elena!  Oh,  how  can  she  be  so  cruel! 
Madame  Dubosc,  both  you  and  your  niece  are  treat- 
ing me  as  though  I  were  a  child  or  a  fool.  I  am 
neither.  When  the  men  of  my  family  offer  marriage 
to  a  lady  they  are  accustomed  to  a  courteous  hearing 
—  they  are  entitled  to  one,  and  to  a  sensible  answer. 
My  mother,  the  Duchess  of  Teramo  .  .   . 

DUBOSC 

The  Duchess  of  Teramo  !     Are  you  crazy  ? 

MARCO 

Why,  pray,  should  you  think  me  crazy?  Why  are 
you  astonished  that  I  should  be  the  son  of  the  Duch- 
ess of  Teramo?     Did  you  think  me  a  street  arab? 

DUBOSC 

Did  you  tell  Mari  ...  I  mean,  Elena,  this? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  329 

MARCO 

Elena  refused  to  listen  to  me :  she  would  not  let  me 
tell  her  anything.     I  don't  understand  her. 

DUBOSC 

One  thing  you  may  clearly  understand  —  you  have 
had  your  answer,  and  she  has  refused  your  offer  of 
marriage. 

MARCO 

One  thing  I  more  clearly  understand,  and  that  is 
that  she  loves  me  and  has  never  loved  anybody  else. 
She  has  told  me  so,  and  I  believe  her.  Then  why 
does  she  refuse  me?     For  what  reason? 

DUBOSC 

If  she  has  not  explained  her  reasons,  then  I  have 
nothing  more  to  say.  But  you  take  it  from  me,  they 
are  final.     Bon  soir,  monsieur. 

MARCO 

Oh!  Madame  Dubosc,  this  treatment  of  me  is  un- 
worthy of  you  —  of  her ;  it  is  cruel  to  me.   .  .   . 

DUBOSC 

Say  nothing  more  now  —  there  is  no  time  for  fur- 
ther talk ;  our  guests  are  arriving.  Please  go  — 
please  go  at  once.     Gelasib,  this  gentleman  is  going. 

MARCO 

But  I  may  write,  and  you  will  answer  me?  Elena 
said  I  might  write. 


330  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUBOSC 

Yes,  yes !  Certainly,  write  whatever  you  want  to 
say,  but  nothing  more  now  —  not  now.     Bon  soir. 

[Exit  Marco,  preceded  by  Gelasio.  Sestri 
enters,  crossing  Marco,  at  whom  he  stares 
with  interest. ] 

DUBOSC 

[Sotto  voce.] 
The  Duchess  of  Teramo !     Quelle  aventure! 

JSESTRI 

Well,  Boschi,  my  dear,  who  is  the  infant  in  gilt 
braid  and  buttons? 

DUBOSC 

I  never  answer  impertinent  questions,  Sestri. 

SESTRI 

Rather  callow,  is  he  not?  Money?  (She  shakes 
her  head.)  Don't  tell  me  you  are  looking  for  an 
amant  de  cceur  amongst  college  boys !  If  you  are, 
you  had  better  arrange  your  rendezvous  elsewhere, 
or  we  shall  have  the  police  down  on  us  for  corrupting 
minors. 

DUBOSC 

When  I  want  advice,  Sestri,  I'll  seek  it  from  some 
one  who  manages  his  own  affairs  better  than  you  do 
yours. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  331 

SESTRI 

Don't  be  snappy.     Where  is  La  Marinella? 

DUBOSC 

Dressing.  What  is  the  news  in  the  haunts  of  the 
great  ? 

SESTRI 

Nothing  particular,  except  that  our  friend  Guido 
di  Teramo  has  received  a  pointed  hint  that  his  resig- 
nation would  be  accepted  by  the  governors  of  the 
Jockey  Club.  Old  Prince  Cividale  cut  him  dead  on 
the  Corso  before  a  dozen  people,  and  they  say  the 
Princess  Frangipani  has  scratched  his  name  off  her 
list. 

DUBOSC 

Oh,  la  belle  affaire!  The  Romans  are  never  so 
comical  as  when  they  pose  for  virtuous.  What  is 
the  matter  now? 

SESTRI 

That  drive  on  the  Pincio  with  the  spaniels  was  too 
much.  They  could  stand  him  with  La  Marinella 
alone  —  but  the  spaniels,  they  were  the  last  straw. 

DUBOSC 

Quelle  blague!  They  know  he.  is  ruined,  bankrupt, 
coule.  As  long  as  he  had  money  he  could  do  as  he 
liked,  and  nobody  minded. 


332  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

SESTRI 

Now  he  makes  himself  a  nuisance;  tries  to  borrow 
of  everybody.     Per  Bacco,  a  regular  beggar ! 

DUBOSC 

He  has  trapped  La  Marinella,  and  actually  tried 
it  on  with  me  —  une  francaise!  Think  of  that !  A 
Roman  Duke.  But  in  every  Roman  there  lurks  the 
lazzarone. 

[Enter  Rossi  and  others.] 

Is  that  not  Rossi? 

SESTRI 

Another  impecunious  gossip.  What  does  he  want 
here  ? 

DUBOSC 

lie  is  charming.     He  knows  all  the  news. 

SESTRI 

He  has  the  manners  of  a  monkey  and  the  conversa- 
tion of  a  parrot. 

ROSSI 

But  you  are  chic  this  evening,  madame ;  tres  chic. 

SESTRI 

She  sports  our  house  colours  —  rouge  et  noir. 
(He  laugh*  and  withdraws.) 

DUBOSC 

[Glancing  angrily  after  him.'] 
Animal!     You    give    us    the    pleasure    so    seldom, 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  333 

monsieur.     Tell  me,  did  I  not  see  your  admiration, 
the  Duchess  of  Teramo,  to-day  at  San  Marcello? 

ROSSI 

Doubtless.     She  never  misses  the  midday  Mass. 

DUBOSC 

No  more  do  I.  She  had  with  her  a  lady  —  tres 
distingwee.     Her  sister,  perhaps? 

ROSSI 

No.     Her  guest,  from  Milan. 

DUBOSC 

They  are  great  friends? 

ROSSI 

For  the  moment  they  are  accomplices  —  the  femi- 
nine equivalent.  The  Milanese  countess  has  a 
daughter  to  marry,  and  the  Duchess  has  a  son. 

,      DUBOSC 

The  Duke  Guido  will  marry? 

ROSSI 

Oh,  no,  not  the  Duke.  There  is  a  second  son, 
Marco. 

DUBOSC 

[Impulsively.  ] 
Then  he  told  the  truth! 

ROSSI 

Who? 


334  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUBOSC 

[Recovering  herself.] 
Nobody.     Nobody  you  know. 

ROSSI 

You  are  severe  on  my   friends.      {He  withdraws, 
mingling  ivith  the  others.) 

[A  number  of  Men  and  Women  enter:  all  are 
fashionably  and  showily  dressed,  exhibiting 
every  caprice  of  the  period:  the  men  wear 
uniforms  of  the  noble-guard,  of  the  French 
Army  of  Occupation,  or  are  in  evening  dress, 
some  with  orders.  The  rooms  fill  up.  Peo- 
ple salute  Dubosc  and  Sestri,  and  some  go 
up  to  the  gambling  table,  where  play  begins. 
The  cries  of  "  Banco,'1  "  Giucco  fatto," 
"  Partita  finita  "  are  heard  in  the  hum  of  the 
conversation.  Dubosc  assumes  her  most 
haughty  air  as  she  moves  about:  Sestri  is  fa- 
miliar with  the  women,  but  most  of  the  men 
are  distant  with  him.  Txvo  groups  form,  one 
at  each  of  the  small  tables  to  the  right  and 
left;  champagne  is  served  to  them.  One  is 
composed  of  Clairette,  Maddalena,  a 
young  gentleman  and  a  French  Officer.] 

clairette 
[To  Young  Man.] 
And   what  brings   you   here   to-night,   Baron?     I 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  335 

thought  your  Russian  princess  kept  you  in  a  tight 
leash.     What  is  her  name? 

YOUNG    MAN 

Who  is  that  pretty  girl  in  blue?  (Indicating  a 
very  pretty  and  well-dressed  girl.) 

MADDAI^NA 

That  is  Pepita.  Don't  you  know  her?  She  was 
playing  the  mandolin  with  her  father  until  a  month 
ago,  and  now  look  at  her !  She  has  a  Russian, 
Prince  Saratoff,  who  has  set  her  up  like  a  duchess. 

CLAIRETTE 

Saratoff!     That   is   the   name.     Why,   he   is    the 
husband   of   your   charmer,   Baron.     You   ought   to 
know  Pepita.      (Calling.)     Pepita!     Come  here. 
[Pepita  advances  nonchalantly.'] 

CLAIRETTE 

Here  is  a  gentleman  who  wants  to  know  you  —  he 
admires  you. 

PEPITA 

[Languidly.] 
Oh !  as  for  that  .   .  . 

MADDALENA 

He  is  a  friend  of  Princess  Saratoff,  so  you  need 
not  be  so  particular. 


336  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

PEPITA 

The  Princess  can  afford  to  do  as  she  likes,  for  she 
is  a  married  woman :  a  lady  in  my  position  has  to  be 
careful. 

YOUNG    MAN 

I  hope  you  are  as  careful  of  your  virtue  as  you  are 
of  your  reputation? 

PEPITA 

One  is  careful  of  whatever  is  worth  keeping. 
(She  turns  away.) 

CLAIRETTE 

Pepita  is  young.  But  she  is  a  good  sort  and  sticks 
by  her  father  and  her  old  friends,  the  musicians. 

YOUNG    MAN 

Her  father  must  be  proud  of  her. 

[Enter  Marinella.  She  is  exquisitely  dressed, 
wears  three  strings  of  very  large  pearls,  and 
carries  a  fan:  her  manner  during  the  scene  is 
nervous.  People  speak  to  her,  everybody 
looks  after  her,  and  she  seats  herself  in  front, 
alone.'] 

,  SESTRI 

[Approaching.] 
Good  evening,  Marinella.     Why,  what  is  the  mat- 
ter?    You  look  as  though  you  had  been  crying. 

MARINELLA 

Hold  your  tongue. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  337 

SESTRI 

There  is  something  going  on  here  that  I  don't  un- 
derstand. 

DUBOSC 

Go  and  take  the  bank:  that  is  all  you  need  to  un- 
derstand. 

SESTRI 

It  is  too  early  for  me.  I  say,  Marinella,  do  you 
know  Teramo  is  finished  —  has  gone  bust?  All 
Rome  is  giving  him  the  cold  shoulder,  and  I  think 
you  had  better  drop  him. 

MARINELLA 

I  can't  drop  what  I  have  never  taken  up.  Guido 
comes  here  to  play  with  you,  not  to  see  me. 

SESTRI 

Well,  he  can't  play  with  me  unless  he  has  money. 
Did  you  hear  what  the  Duchess  said  when  they  told 
her  of  his  drive  with  you  and  the  spaniels  ? 

MARINELLA 

I  did  not. 

SESTRI 

She  said  the  dogs  deserved  better  company.  (He 
laughs. ) 

MARINELLA 

[Snaps  her  fan,  and  Sestri  stops  short. ] 
She  dared  to  say  that!     It  is  another  item  in  my 


338  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

long  account  with  Casa  Teramo:  the  Duchess  shall 
pay  dearly  for  this  insult  when  we  have  our  reckon- 
ing. 

DUBOSC 

[Aside  to  Sestrl] 
Take  my  advice  and  let  Marinella  alone  to-night: 
she  has  her  nerves  —  it  is  not  safe  to  plague  her. 

SESTRI 

I  am  damned  if  I  let  her  alone.  I  am  a  partner  in 
this  game,  and  not  a  silent  one.  I  want  to  know 
what  is  going  on.  (To  Marinella.)  Old  Pavon- 
celli  told  me  you  had  taken  up  another  of  Guido's 
bills  for  fourteen  thousand  francs.  It  is  all  dead 
loss,  for  they  are  not  worth  the  paper  they  are  writ- 
ten on. 

MARINELLA 

I  did:  and  I'll  buy  every  bill,  every  mortgage, 
every  I.O.U.  that  bears  Guido  Teramo's  name.  I  am 
now  his  only  creditor.  I  own  everything  that  was 
once  his  —  the  Palazzo  Teramo  in  Rome,  the  Villa 
at  Viterbo,  the  Castel  Ferrato  estate  at  Porto  d'An- 
zio  —  all  are  mine.  (Touching  her  pearls.)  These 
are  the  historic  pearls  given  by  the  King  of  Naples 
to  the  Duchess  on  an  occasion  of  which  I  intend  the 
world  shall  soon  hear  more. 

SESTRI 

What  is  the  object  of  all  this,  Marinella?     Mar- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  339 

riage?     Are  you  going  to  force  him  to  marry  you  to 
save  his  estates? 

MARINELLA 

Force  him?  He  would  marry  me  to-morrow  if  I 
chose.  No!  Why  should  I  marry  a  man  devoid  of 
mind  as  he  is  of  both  morals  and  manners? 

DUBOSC 

[Pompously.'] 
You  would  be  Duchess  of  Teramo. 

SESTRI 

An  empty  title,  since  society  would  neither  recog- 
nise nor  receive  you. 

MARINELLA 

[Contemptuously.] 
What  is  society?     One  half  of  society  should  be 
in  gaol  and  the  other  half  in  the  asylum. 

DUBOSC 

There  is  not  a  woman  in  Roman  society  who  has 
not  her  lover. 

SESTRI 

Let  us  be  accurate,  Dubosc.  A  lover  before  mar- 
riage costs  a  woman  her  character ;  her  choice  of  one 
after  marriage  makes  her  reputation. 

[Marinella   turns  disdainfully  away  and  sits 
alone.] 


340  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

SESTRI 

[To  Dubosc] 
Accident  el     Is  she  playing  us?     She  can't  be  in 
love  with  Guido? 

DUBOSC 

Can't  you  see  she  hates  him. 

SESTRI 

That  is  just  as  good  a  reason  for  marrying  him. 
I  won't  have  it. 

DUBOSC 

Jealous?     Do  you  aspire  to  be  her  lover? 

SESTRI 

She  makes  me  a  fool. 

DUBOSC 

It  is  the  same  thing. 

ROSSI 

[Approaches  Marinei/la  and  speaks  over  lier 
shoulder.']     Do  I  disturb  your  dreams? 

MARINELLA 

Nobody  can  do  that. 

ROSSI 

I  have  a  word  of  warning  for  your  private  ear. 
This  scandal  with  the  Duke  of  Teramo  is  attracting 
attention    in    high    quarters.     His    uncle,    Cardinal 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  341 

Gottifreddi,  has  been  summoned  by  the  Pope,  and 
Cardinal  Antonelli  is  pressing  the  French  ambassa- 
dor to  withdraw  his  protection  from  you :  it  is  hinted 
the  Pope  may  write  to  Napoleon. 

MARINELLA 

And  the  ambassador? 

ROSSI 

Is  fencing,  to  gain  time. 

MARINELLA 

Whom  does  he  most  fear?     Paris  or  Rome? 

ROSSI 

It  is  his  business  to  satisfy  both. 

MARINELLA 

He  will  not  find  that  easy. 

ROSSI 

Unless  you  will  make  it  so  for  him. 

MARINELLA 

How? 

ROSSI 

Conjure  the  brewing  storm  by  a  timely  and  dis- 
creet self-effacement  —  temporary,  bien^entendu  — 
a  month  in  Naples  for  your  health  —  or  Gaeta. 

MARINELLA 

I  shall  never  again  see  Gaeta. 


342  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

I  thought  I  had  heard  you  were  delighted  with  it. 

MARINELLA 

Then  I  should  not  make  the  mistake  of  revisiting 
a  place  where  I  had  been  happy.  I  shall  take  my 
own  time.  I  have  Paris  behind  me  and  I  do  not  fear 
Rome. 

ROSSI 

If  you  will  accept  me  as  your  counsellor  —  you 
will  put  the  ambassador  under  obligation  to  you. 

MARINELLA 

That  would  be  to  make  him  my  enemy. 

ROSSI 

You  know  I  am  your  friend,  Marinella? 

MARINELLA 

You  are  nobody's  friend,  Rossi.  Adroit  as  you 
are,  I  wonder  how  you  keep  your  place. 

ROSSI 

By  always  reporting  what  my  superiors  want  to 
hear, —  that  is  the  secret  of  my  success  in  the  serv- 
ice. 

MARINELLA 

The  service!  By  the  bye,  Rossi,  in  whose  service 
precisely  are  you? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  343 

ROSSI 

I  am  at  present,  officially,  in  the  service  of  France, 
but  my  devotion  to  the  interests  of  Holy  Church  con- 
strains me  —  in  my  private  capacity  —  to  place  my 
abilities  at  the  disposition  of  the  Pope.  I  lend  my 
services  intermittently  to  Mazzini,  out  of  pure  ad- 
miration for  his  audacity,  and  I  sell  them  in  Flor- 
ence when  I  am  hard  up.  My  good  friend  Palmer- 
ston  had  no  cause  to  complain  of  my  fidelity  in  the 
old  days,  for  he  was  the  best  paymaster.  Ah,  those 
excellent  English !     There  is  no  rogue  like  a  Puritan. 

MARINELLA 

And  your  convictions  —  where  are  they? 

ROSSI 

Convictions  are  not  the  outcome  of  reason  but  of 
temperament.  Mine  keep  close  company  with  my  in- 
terests. 

MARINELLA 

And  they? 

ROSSI 

Are  migratory,  according  to  the  movement  of 
events. 

MARINELLA 

You  are  even  more  despicable  than  I  thought  you. 

ROSSI 

We  are  all  despicable  to  those  who  know  us ;  but 
I  have  claims  to  your  admiration. 


344  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARINELLA 

Indeed?     And  why? 

ROSSI 

For  the  courage  I  show  in  revealing  myself  to  a 
woman. 

MARINELLA 

Your  revelations  leave  me  sceptical.  I  never 
doubted  you  more  than  at  this  moment. 

ROSSI 

I  deserve  your  rebuke,  for  I  have  over-played  my 
part.  What  sensible  woman  ever  believes  a  man  of 
brains  is  telling  her  the  truth  when  talking  about 
himself? 

MARINELLA 

The  answer  to  that  is  obvious.  It  is  as  a  con- 
firmed liar  you  achieve  your  best  success. 

ROSSI 

On  the  contrary,  it  is  my  incredible  truthfulness 
that  has  won  for  me  a  reputation  for  mendacity. 

[Enter  Guido.  He  is  animated  and  greets  peo- 
ple gaily  as  he  gradually  approaches  Mari- 
nekla.] 

SESTRI 

[Approaching  Marinella.] 
Here  is  Teramo ;  he  looks  elated. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  345 

MARINELLA 

Unless  he  brings  money  he  shall  not  play  here. 
If  he  does,  Sestri,  see  to  it  that  he  leaves  it  here  — 
you  understand  ?     Every  penny  of  it. 

SESTRI 

That  is  as  good  as  done. 

[He  takes  the  bank  at  baccarat.] 

ROSSI 

[To  Dubosc,  indicating  a  long-haired,  aesthetic 
youth,  talking  to  a  girl.] 
Who  is  your  minor  poet? 

DUBOSC 

[Proudly.  ] 
Theophile  Vernet.     C'est  un  francais. 

ROSSI 

Ah !  Vernet :  the  man  who  has  written  a  book  of 
modern  fables  in  verse. 

DUBOSC 

[Sentimental.  ] 
Just  like  Lafontaine.      I   read  Lafontaine  in  the 
convent ;  cetait  si  joli.     He  made  all  the  animals  act 
like  people. 

ROSSI 

Just  so.  But  Vernet  makes  all  his  people  act  like 
animals. 

[Enter  Gelasio.] 


346  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

GELASIO 

Madame,  the  musicians  are  here. 

DUBOSC 

[To  Marinella.] 
Shall  we  have  some  music?     The  Neapolitans  are 
here. 

MARINELLA 

Yes,  music.  Let  them  come  in,  and  we'll  have  a 
dance.     Rossi,  give  me  your  arm. 

[Exit  Gelasio.] 

[The  room  is  cleared  for  a  dance,  Dubosc  of- 
ficiously directing.] 

[Enter  half-a-dozen  musicians,  with  mandolins, 
guitars,  violin,  etc.  They  wear  gay  Cioc- 
ciaro  costumes.  The  girl  Pepita  salutes 
them  with  effusion  and  gives  them  champagne. 
During  the  dance  her  father  watches  her  with 
smiles  of  proud  approval.  A  dance  is  ar- 
ranged, either  Lancers  or  Quadrilles,  by  eight 
guests,  or  a  tarantella  danced  by  the  men  and 
two  girls  of  the  musicians.  As  the  dance  is 
about  to  finish,  a  row  breaks  out  at  the  card- 
table.  Women  scream;  Guido  calls  Sestri 
a  cheat;  Sestri  gimes  him  the  lie  and  strikes 
him.     Men  interfere.] 

MARINELLA 

Dubosc !  Stop  that  noise !  Stop  those  men ! 
What  is  the  matter? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  347 

[Dubosc  goes  hastily  towards  tlie  card-table, 
calling  excitedly,  but  Guido  and  Sestri  come 
to  the  front,  amidst  loud  voices  and  confu- 
sion.] 

SESTRI 

[Calling  to  Noble-guard.'] 
Carlino,  will  you  act  for  me?  I  want  a  second. 
{To  Guido.)  Choose  your  seconds,  if  you  can  find 
anybody  above  a  lacquey  to  act  for  you.  Choose 
your  weapons.  I  will  fight  you  when  and  where  and 
how  you  please. 

GUIDO 

I  don't  fight  with  card-sharpers.  Give  me  the 
money  you  stole  from  me,  you  cheat ! 

SESTRI 

Oh,  you  won't  fight  me?  Then  I'll  horsewhip  you 
in  the  Corso  if  you  dare  to  show  your  face  in  the 
public  street ;  I'll  publish  you  all  over  Italy  as  a 
coward ! 

ROSSI 

[Calmly.] 
Gentlemen  !  Gentlemen !  You  both  forget  your- 
selves. Remember,  gentlemen,  we  are  all  men  of 
honour.  My  lord  Duke,  the  Marquis  dei  Sestri  is 
rightly  offended  by  your  hasty  accusations  and  has 
named  a  second  to  represent  him.     You  cannot  re- 


348  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

fuse  him  satisfaction.     If  you  decline  to  apologise, 
you  must  choose  some  one  to  act  for  you. 

guido 
[Recovering  his  dignity.] 
You  are  right,  Rossi ;  I  am  obliged  to  you.  My 
accusation  was  not  hasty,  and  an  apology  is  out  of 
the  question.  (He  approaches  a  gentleman,  speaks 
sotto  voce  and  then  turns  to  Sestri.)  Baron  Cara- 
vita  will  meet  your  friend. 

SESTRI 

[Sneeringly.] 
Tanto  meglio ! 

[The   men    separate;    exclamations    and   move- 
ment.] 

[Gelasio  enters  excitedly  and  approaches  Du- 
bosc] 

GELASIO 

Madame,  the  police  are  at  the  lower  door  —  a  dep- 
uty —  commissary  and  four  men.  He  demands  ad- 
mittance. 

DUBOSC 

Mon  Dieu!  Mori  Dieu!  (Excitedly.)  Clear  the 
rooms.  Vite!  Vite!  Away  with  the  tables,  and 
get  out  —  get  out !  every  one  of  you !  Gelasio,  put 
out  the  lights.  Quel  scandale  —  et  dans  une  maison 
francaise! 

[Guests   rush  pell-mell  towards  back  and  dis- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  349 

appear.  Other  servants  appear,  whisk  away 
the  card-table  like  magic,  and  put  out  most  of 
the  lights,  save  two  or  three  m  front.  Du- 
bosc  assists  in  snuffing  out  candles,  etc. 
Marinella,  Guido,  Rossi,  and  Dubosc  re- 
main.] 

ROSSI 

My  warning  was  none  too  soon.  These  men  have 
come  at  an  unfortunate  moment.  There  will  be 
trouble. 

MARINELLA 

Go  down  to  the  commissary  and  ask  him  what  he 
means  by  battering  at  my  door  at  this  hour. 

DUBOSC 

Quelle  mfamie  —  et  dans  une  maison  francaise! 
I  read  this  in  the  cards. 

MARINELLA 

Tell  him  there  is  no  gambling  here  and  no  dis- 
turbance, save  what  he  and  his  men  are  making.  If 
he  chooses  to  verify,  he  may  come  up  and  see  for  him- 
self —  but  without  his  men. 

dubosc 
Morbleu!  c*est  une  maison  francaise. 

MARINELLA 

Remind  him  that  I  am  under  the  protection  of  the 


350  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

French  government,  and  he  forces  my  door  at  his 
peril. 

ROSSI 

[Shrugging  his  shoulders.  ] 
If  that  still  goes. 

MARINELLA 

You  must  make  it  go  —  at  least  for  to-night. 

DUBOSC 

Give  him  your  purse  —  that  is  more  important 
still ;  especially  if  the  deputy-commissary  is  old  Mar- 
tinoli. 

[Marinella  gives  Rossi  her  purse.] 

ROSSI 

I'll  do  my  best.  (To  Guido.)  You  will  find 
Caravita  in  his  rooms  in  an  hour. 

[Guido  nods  assent,  and  makes  as  though  to 
follow  him,  but  Marinella  stops  him.] 

MARINELLA 

I  have  still  something  to  say  to  you  Teramo.     I 
won't  keep  you  but  a  moment. 
[Exit  Rossi.] 

[To  Dubosc,  who  is  still  arranging  furniture, 
etc.] 
Dubosc,  bring  me  the  blue  leather  envelope  and  the 
small  account-book  from  the  safe. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  351 

[Gesture   of  disapproval  from  Dubosc.     Exit 
Dubosc] 

GUIDO 

If  you  get  into  trouble  over  this,  don't  blame  me. 

MARINEL1A 

You  are  a  veritable  jettatore  (making  the  sign 
of  tlie  horns  with  first  and  little  fingers).  You  bring 
disaster  wherever  you  appear. 

GUIDO 

I?  But  this  is  Sestri's  doing.  He  is  always  up 
to  some  new  cardsharper's  tricks. 

MARINELLA 

Sestri  has  no  new  tricks.  All  gamblers'  tricks 
were  old  when  Noah's  ark  was  new.  Nobody  im- 
agines, I  fancy,  that  gambling  tables  are  run  for  the 
proprietor's  pleasure.  The  game  here  is  played  to 
win. 

GUIDO 

That  is  all  right,  but  you  need  not  have  a  profes- 
sional swindler  to  run  your  table. 

MARINEELA 

I  have  heard  the  same  term  applied  to  you.  I 
am  not  interested  in  Sestri's  methods,  but  in  the  re- 
sults and  I  hold  you  both  in  equal  esteem. 

[Enter  Dubosc,  with  the  booh  and  envelope.'] 


352  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUBOSC 

Here  they  are. 

MARINELLA 

Thanks.  Give  them  to  me ;  and,  Dubosc,  you  need 
not  wait.     I  wish  to  talk  to  Don  Guido  alone. 

DUBOSC 

[Disapprovingly.  ] 
Comme    vous    voulez  —  mats  —  (Exit    slowly    up 
centre. ) 

MARINELLA 

These  papers  should  be  of  interest  to  you.  You 
have  many  debts? 

GUIDO 

So  I  am  told. 

MARINELLA 

Which  you  do  not  pay? 

GUIDO 

Certo!     If  I  paid  them  I  should  not  have  them? 

MARINELLA 

And  your  creditors  ...  do  you  know  them? 

GUIDO 

I  can't  say  that  I  do.  I  have  had  money  from  the 
usual  bloodsuckers  —  Pavoncelli,  Stein,  Rosenburg 
I  don't  exactly  know;  they  seem  to  be  decent  enough 
fellows  —  not  so  bad  as  they  are  pictured  —  and  for 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  353 

the  last  year  they  have  not  even  bothered  me  for  in- 
terest or  renewals. 

MARINELLA 

Have  you  wondered  why  ? 

GUIDO 

No  ...  I  suppose  they  knew  it  was  useless. 

MARINELIA 

It  is  because  all  your  debts  are  in  the  possession 
of  one  person ;  you  have  but  one  creditor  —  myself. 

GUIDO 

You? 

MARINELLA 

I  have  bought  up  all  your  bills  —  all  your  I.  O. 
U.'s.  I  hold  the  mortgages  you  have  given  on  your 
properties.  I  redeemed  the  pawn-tickets  on  which 
you  had  raised  loans  —  everything  you  owe,  as  far 
as  I  know,  you  owe  to  me. 

GUIDO 

[Trying  to  look  sentimental.'] 
Marinella !     You  dear  girl !     How  shall  I  express 
my  gratitude?     Your  generosity  puts  me  in  a  most 
delicate  position  ...  I  would   ...  I  ought  .  .  . 

MARINELLA 

You  are  floundering,  Guido.  I  have  not  acquired 
your  debts  with  the  purpose  of  accepting  your  name 


354  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

and  title,  and,  incidentally,  yourself.      I  have  done  it 
as  a  speculation. 

GUIDO 

I  am  not  quite  sure  I  see  where  you  will  make  your 
profit. 

MARINELLA 

Then  I  will  tell  you.  I  have  a  straightforward 
offer  to  make  to  you  —  a  bargain  I  wish  to  propose 
and  conclude  here  and  now.  I  will  destroy,  before 
your  eyes,  every  one  of  the  papers  in  this  envelope, 
and  set  you  absolutely  free  from  debt,  on  one  con- 
dition. 

GUIDO 

Name  it.     I  consent  beforehand. 

MAMNELLA 

It  is  so  trifling  it  may  sound  foolish  to  you. 
There  lies  in  an  inner  drawer  of  a  large  cabinet, 
standing  in  your  mother's  private  salon,  a  small 
packet  of  letters,  wrapped  in  a  piece  of  faded  blue 
silk  and  securely  tied  with  a  blue  and  gold  cord.  I 
want  those  letters. 

GUIDO 

How  do  you  know  what  is  in  my  mother's  cabi- 
net? 

MARINELLA 

Never  mind  how  —  it  is  enough  that  I  do  know. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  355 

GUIDO 

I  never  saw  such  a  packet.  I  know  the  cabinet, 
of  course,  and  my  mother  keeps  all  her  papers  in  it. 
What  are  these  letters,  and  of  what  value  are  they 
to  you? 

MARINELLA 

The  letters  are  there,  and  they  are  important  to 
me.  More  than  that  I  will  not  tell  you.  Get  them, 
bring  them  to  me  —  in  the  packet,  intact  as  it  is  — 
and  in  return  I  will  release  you  from  debt. 

GUIDO 

They  must  indeed  be  valuable,  if  they  are  worth 
my  entire  estate. 

MARINELLA 

To  me  they  are  worth  that.  Nobody  else  would 
give  you  a  scudo  for  them. 

GUIDO 

Are  they  legal  papers  —  documents  — ? 

MARINELLA 

No,  they  are  letters  of  a  private  correspondence 
between  persons  who  interest  me;  they  are  of  value 
only  to  me  —  and  to  your  mother. 

GUIDO 

My  obligations  to  my  mother  are  not  many. 

MARINEL1A 

Your  obligations  to  me  are  great. 


356  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

GUIDO 

You  shall  have  the  letters. 

MARINELLA 

Now,  to-night. 

GUIDO 

To-night? 

MARINELLA 

It  must  be  to-night.  To-night  as  well  as  another 
time  you  can  get  them.  Bring  them  here,  and  I  will 
give  you  in  exchange  what  I  have  promised.  I  will 
wait  for  you  here.     Go  and  get  the  packet. 

GUIDO 

[Shrugging  his  shoulders.] 
It  is  not  precisely  a  nice  undertaking  —  to  break 
open  my  mother's  cabinet.   .   .   .   Some  people  might 
even  call  it  stealing. 

MARINELLA 

Possibly.  But  how  can  a  man  like  you  get  any- 
thing unless  he  steals  it. 

GUIDO 

After  all,  I  am  the  head  of  the  family,  and  what- 
ever is  my  mother's  is  mine. 

MARINELLA 

You  have  your  choice.     Refuse,  and  I  shall  fore- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  357 

close.     Once  the  seals  are  put  on  your  house,  the  let- 
ters are  bound  to  be  mine  in  any  case.     Choose. 

GUIDO 

Wait  for  me  here.     Within  an  hour  you  shall  have 
the  letters. 

MARINELLA 

Within  an  hour  you  will  have  no  debts. 
[Exit  Guido.] 

CURTAIN 


Scene  2 

Salon  of  the  Duchess.  The  room  is  dark,  with  faint 
light  from  the  large  brazier  of  charcoals. 

Guido  enters,  carrying  a  candle  shaded  by  a  glass 
screen;  he  approaches  the  cabinet  and  begins  to 
open  the  drawers;  one  resists,  and  he  uses  a  knife 
he  carries  to  force  it  open,  muttering  to  himself: 
noise  of  cracking  wood  and  the  springing  of  the 
lock. 

Santucci  enters  from  the  small  door  right;  he  is 
dressed  in  the  chaplain's  cassock. 

santucci 
[Running  forward.] 
Who  is  there  ?     Ah !     Thieves  !     Thieves ! 

[He  clutches  at  Guido,  who  turns  upon  him.] 


358  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

GUIDO 

[In  suppressed  voice.] 
Who  the  devil  are  you?     Let  me  go. 

SANTUCCI 

[Grappling   feebly   with   him   and  calling  in   a 
weak  voice.] 
Help!    Help!    Thieves!    Robbers!    Help!    {Rec- 
ognising Guido.)      Ah!     It  is  the  same  man  —  the 
same  man.   .   .   . 

[Guido  wrenches  himself  loose,  seizes  a  heavy 
paper-knife  and  strikes  Santucci  repeatedly 
on  the  head.  Santucci  falls,  groaning,  to  the 
floor  and  lies  silent.  Guido  hastily  seizes  the 
packet  he  has  found  and  leaving  his  candle, 
rushes  from  the  room  by  the  centre  door.] 
[Enter  Duchess.  Her  hair  is  loose  and  she  is 
wrapped  in  a  large  dressing  gown,  and  carries 
a  candle.] 

DUCHESS 

[Peering  about.] 
Who  is  there?     I  heard  a  noise  and  voices.     Who 
is  there? 

[Santucci  struggling  feebly  to  his  feet;  his  face 
and  head  covered  with  blood:  he  stammers  a 
few  incoherent  words.] 

DUCHESS 

Ah!     So  you  are  a  thief.   .   .   .  You  would  rob  me? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  359 

SANTUCCI 

[Moaning.] 
No,  no !  not  a  thief,  no !  I  tried  to  stop  him,  but  he 
struck  me. 

DUCHESS 

Who?     Who  struck  you?     Where  is  he? 

SANTUCCI 

He  is  gone.  It  was  the  same  man  who  stole  the 
money ;  he  has  broken  open  the  cabinet. 

DUCHESS 

[Hastily  searching  in  the  drawers.] 
Guido  !     My  private  drawer  open !     My  letters  — 
the  King's  letters  are  gone.      (She  pulls  out  letters 
and  papers,  scattering  them  on  the  floor.)      How  did 
he  know  ?     What  can  he  want  with  my  letters  ? 

[Santucci  falls  senseless  to  the  floor.] 

DUCHESS 

[Bending  over.] 
The  man  is  dead ! 

[Slie  rings  the  bell,  and  in  a  moment  Teresa,  in 
her  nightdress  and  a  shawl  appears.] 

TERESA 

Excellency  !  Madonna  santissima  !  What  is  the 
matter?  Are  you  ill?  (She  does  not  see  San- 
tucci.) 


360  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

[Recovering  herself.] 
No  —  that  is,  yes  —  I  want  to  see  .   .   .  has  Coun- 
tess Cavalese  returned  from  the  ball? 

TERESA 

I  heard  the  carriage  drive  into  the  courtyard  a 
moment  ago. 

DUCHESS 

Go  and  ask  the  Countess  to  come  here  at  once. 
Be  quick. 

[Exit  Teresa.] 

[The  Duchess  bends  over  Santucci  and  then 

falls  to  searching  again  amongst  the  papers.] 

He  must  have  taken  them  by  mistake.     He  was 

looking  for  more  money  —  looking  for  jewels  —  but 

the  letters  !     Oh !     If  he  reads  them  !     He  is  capable 

of  anything. 

[Enter  Teresa  and  Countess,  Countess  is  in 
full  ball  dress,  blazing  with  diamonds.] 

COUNTESS 

My  dear  Isabella!     What  is  the  matter?     What 
is  wrong?     Are  you  ill? 

DUCHESS 

No,   but   I   need   you.     Teresa,   wait   outside   the 
door. 

[Exit  Teresa.] 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  361 

COUNTESS 

What  in  God's  name  has  happened?  (She  sees  the 
open  cabinet  and  scattered  papers.)     A  robbery? 

DUCHESS 

Maria,  I  have  been  robbed  —  oh !  not  of  money 
nor  of  jewels,  for  I  possess  none  —  but  of  something 
worth  far  more  to  me  than  all  I  ever  possessed:  of 
some  letters  that  are  dearer  to  me  than  life. 

COUNTESS 

What  letters?     Who  robbed  you? 

DUCHESS 

My  son. 

COUNTESS 

Marco?     No,  he  just  now  came  in  with  us. 

duchess 
Guido.  Listen,  Maria.  My  son  has  twice  robbed 
me  this  night.  First,  he  came  here  shortly  after  you 
left  me :  he  bullied  and  threatened  me  —  he  behaved 
like  a  madman  wrenched  open  that  drawer  and  stole 
the  bag  of  money  from  the  charity  bazaar.  He  stole 
it,  in  spite  of  all  I  could  say  or  do  to  stop  him. 

COUNTESS 

Incredible !     I  can't  believe  it. 

DUCHESS 

Since  you  are  not  a  thief  I  suppose  you  can't. 


362  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

COUNTESS 

My  poor,  dear  Isabella  !  Never  mind :  I'll  make  it 
all  good  —  nobody  need  ever  know.  But  the  let- 
ters ? 

DUCHESS 

Strange  things  have  happened  in  this  room  to- 
night —  strange  even  in  Casa  Teramo,  where  we  are 
accustomed  to  lawlessness  —  and  even  crimes.  When 
we  spoke  of  the  flight  of  a  prisoner  from  Sant'  An- 
gelo  to-night,  you  declared  you  hoped  he  would  es- 
cape :  you  said  you  would  do  anything  in  the  world 
to  help  him.     Were  you  sincere? 

COUNTESS 

Indeed  I  was.     I  would  do  anything  to  help  him. 

DUCHESS 

Well,  he  is  here. 

[She  takes  the  candle  and  shows  her  Santucci's 
body.] 

countess 
Misericordia!     Oh!  blood!  the  man  is  dead! 

duchess 
If  he  is  dead,  Guido  is  a  murderer  as  well  as  a 
thief. 

COUNTESS 

But  that  man  is  a  priest. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  363 

DUCHESS 

No ;  he  wears  a  cassock  of  Serafini's,  but  he  is  no 
priest.     Help  me  to  lift  him  up. 

COUNTESS 

[Horrified.] 
Oh !  I  would  not  touch  him  for  worlds !     I  don't 
like  dead  men. 

DUCHESS 

He  is  not  dead  —  or  was  not  ten  minutes  ago.  We 
must  try  to  revive  him :  help  me  to  raise  him. 

COUNTESS 

I  can't,  I  can't.  The  sight  of  blood  turns  me 
faint.  I  can't  touch  him.  It  is  too  horrible.  Oh, 
Dio  mio! 

DUCHESS 

[Goes  to  the  door.] 
Teresa,  go  at  once  and  call  Don  Marco :  tell  him 
I  want  him  here  instantly. 

COUNTESS 

How  did  this  man  come  here?     Who  is  he? 

DUCHESS 

I  will  tell  you  his  story  later.  He  gained  access 
to  this  room  by  a  secret  staircase,  of  which  the  door 
is  behind  that  portrait.  Those  stairs  lead  to  the 
vaults  under  the  palace.     All  Rome  —  at  least  on 


364  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

this  Trastevere  side  —  was  formerly  honeycombed 
with  underground  passages,  most  of  which  have  been 
filled  up ;  but  one  evidently  still  exists,  into  which  the 
escaped  prisoner  found  his  way,  and  thus  crept  to 
the  door  behind  the  picture. 

COUNTESS 

And  you  can  live  in  a  house  like  this  —  where  crimi- 
nals fall  into  your  rooms  from  behind  the  pictures : 
I  shall  never  sleep  another  night  under  this  roof. 
Let  me  get  Angela  safely  back  to  Milan,  that  is  all 
I  ask.     I  have  seen  enough  of  Rome. 

DUCHESS 

Don't  be  hysterical,  Maria.  A  few  hours  ago  the 
escaping  prisoner  was  a  hero  —  a  martyr  in  your 
eyes.  Now  you  call  him  a  criminal.  You  said  you 
would  do  anything  in  the  world  to  help  him,  but  you 
can't  look  at  him  without  turning  faint,  and  nothing 
would  induce  you  to  touch  him  with  your  finger. 
You  are  not  very  logical,  my  dear,  and  not  at  all 
helpful.  Here  is  Marco. 
[Enter  Marco.] 

MARCO 

What  is  happening?  Why  do  you  want  me  at  this 
hour,  mother? 

DUCHESS 

Marco,  there  is  a  wounded  man  in  this  room  —  he 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  365 

may  be  dead,  for  what  I  know  —  in  any  case,  we  must 
carry  him  to  the  chaplain's  room.  (She  shows  San- 
tucci  to  Marco.) 

MARCO 

A  priest!     What  is  the  matter  with  him? 

DUCHESS 

He  is  not  a  priest :  but  never  mind :  help  me  to  raise 
him  up. 

MARCO 

I  put  my  flask  in  my  pocket :  here,  let  me  give  him 
some  brandy. 

DUCHESS 

Maria,  do  bring  my  salts  from  the  dressing-table. 

[Exit  Countess  into  Duchess'  bedroom,  then 
returning.  ] 

[They  revive  Santucci  with  the  salts  and 
brandy;  they  get  him  on  his  legs,  and,  leaning 
heavily  on  Marco  and  the  Duchess,  he  is  led 
to  the  small  door,  Countess  bearing  the  can- 
dle; the  three  then  return.] 

[Duchess  goes  to  the  door  and  speaks  to 
Teresa.] 

duchess 
Teresa,  go  at  once  and  waken  Dr.  Negroni:  tell 
him  to  come  immediately.     (She  closes  the  door.) 


366  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

Negroni's  rooms  are  in  the  lower  courtyard,  and  he 
should  be  here  within  ten  minutes.     Now  sit  down, 
and  I  will  tell  you  the  story  of  Sisto  Santucci. 
[They  all.  sit.] 


CURTAIN 


ACT  III 


ACT  III 

(To  play  45  minutes) 
Scene  I 

The  next  morning  at  ten  o'clock. 

TJie  salon  of  the  Duchess. 

Duchess  of  Teramo,  Countess  Cavalese,  the 
former  in  neglige  morning  costume,  Teresa  and 
Negroni. 

Negroni  enters  by  the  small  door  at  right  back  as 
the  curtain  rises. 

Countess  is  dressed  in  black,  with  mantilla,  for  a 
papal  audience;  she  wears  pearls  and  some  dia- 
mond ornaments  in  her  veil. 

duchess 
Well,  Negroni,  how  is  he? 

NEGRONI 

Very  bad,  Your  Excellency. 

COUNTESS 

Misericordia!     You  don't  think  he  will  die? 

NEGRONI 

There  is  little  chance  of  his  recovery.     The  wound 
369 


370  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

on  his  head  is,  in  itself,  serious,  and  the  loss  of  blood 
in  his  debilitated  condition  is  extremely  so. 

DUCHESS 

Is  he  conscious? 

NEGRONI 

Perfectly.     His  mind  is  quite  clear. 

DUCHESS 

What  do  you  advise,  Negroni? 

NEGRONI 

Your  Excellency's  wish  to  keep  the  man's  presence 
here  a  secret  is  hopeless.  I  do  not  say  he  cannot  re- 
cover, but  he  is  suffering  also  from  nervous  appre- 
hension :  every  sound  startles  him,  and  he  has  a 
hunted,  anxious  look  in  his  eyes,  as  though  he  feared 
pursuers  or  .  .  . 

DUCHESS 

Never  mind  what  he  fears ;  he  is  suffering  from 
hallucinations. 

NEGRONI 

No  doubt,  since  Your  Excellency  says  so.  His 
concealment  here  contributes  to  them.  I  suggest 
that  he  be  taken  to  a  hospital. 

DUCHESS 

I  think  you  are  right.  The  Mother  Superior  of 
Santa  Monica  would  permit  him  to  be  cared  for  inside 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  371 

the  clausura.  Please  go  at  once  to  Santa  Monica's 
and  explain  my  wishes  to  the  Mother  Superior,  and 
the  urgency  of  the  case.  Make  the  best  arrange- 
ments you  can  for  his  speedy  removal. 

NEGRONI 

Your  Excellency's  commands  shall  be  scrupulously 
obeyed.     I  shall  return  within  an  hour. 
[Exit  Negroni,  left  front.] 

DUCHESS 

Teresa,  go  and  sit  in  the  room  with  the  sick  man. 
You  have  the  doctor's  instructions,  and  if  anything 
more  is  wanted,  call  me  —  but  no  one  else. 

TERESA 

Yes,  Your  Excellency. 

[Exit  Teresa  by  small  door,  right  back.] 

COUNTESS 

What  a  night  we  have  passed ! 

DUCHESS 

With,  perhaps,  the  worst  yet  to  come. 

COUNTESS 

What  worse  can  come,  Isabella? 

DUCHESS 

Suppose  Santucci  were  discovered  —  or  suppose 
he  were  to  die  here?     Think  of  my  position.     Dead 


372  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

or  alive,  his  presence  in  my  house  must  not  be  known. 
And  Guido?  Anything  may  be  expected  from  him. 
Oh,  Maria !  you  may  thank  God  you  have  a  daughter 
instead  of  sons. 

COUNTESS 

It  would  not  be  human  to  be  satisfied  with  what  I 
have:  even  though  Angela  is  the  most  delightful  of 
daughters. 

DUCHESS 

How  is  the  dear  child  this  morning? 

COUNTESS 

I  left  her  dressing. 

DUCHESS 

Your  audience  at  the  Vatican  is  at  noon,  and  His 
Holiness  exacts  punctuality.  My  brother,  the  Car- 
dinal, will  be  waiting  for  you  in  the  secret  ante- 
camera  at  exactly  five  minutes  before  twelve. 

[Enter    footman,    announcing    Baroness    Fer- 
rari.] 

duchess 
Pazienza!     Tazienzal     Now  I  must  listen  to  Ot- 
tavia. 

[Enter  Ottavia;  her  air  is  mournful  but  im- 
portant.] 

OTTAVIA 

Oh!  my  dear  Duchess.     Countess. 
[Salutations  exchanged.  ] 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  373 

DUCHESS 

Good  morning,  Ottavia.  You  are  early;  I  never 
before  saw  you  here  at  this  hour. 

OTTAVIA 

When  a  work  of  holy  charity  calls,  all  hours  are 
the  same  to  me.  I  have  been  to  the  first  communion 
mass  of  the  daughters  of  Mary  at  Santa  Francesca 
Romana,  and  I  must  hurry  on  to  the  Requiem  of  the 
Archdeacon  Pelagello  at  San  Damaso,  but  I  had  to 
come  in  to  speak  a  word  of  comfort  to  you  in  your 
affliction. 

DUCHESS 

[Glancing  nervously  at  Countess.] 
Affliction?     What  are  you  talking  about? 

OTTAVIA 

All  Rome  is  talking  about  it.  Have  you  not  heard 
of  the  awful  scandal  in  the  house  of  that  reprobate 
creature,  La  Marinella?  Oh!  Mother  of  Mercy!  I 
don't  know  what  we  are  coming  to. 

DUCHESS 

Well,  what  are  we  coming  to?  I  have  heard  noth- 
ing of  any  scandal  —  not  of  any  new  one. 

COUNTESS 

Did  you  get  your  information  from  the  children 
of  Mary? 


374  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

OTTAVIA 

From  the  Mother  Superior  All  the  nuns  are  pray- 
ing for  you,  Duchess. 

countess 
How  is  it  that  nuns  inside  their  convents  are  al- 
ways the  first  to  know  everything  that  happens  out- 
side ? 

[Footman  announces  Donna  Francesca  Viva- 
tekli.] 

DUCHESS 

Francesca  also !  There  must  indeed  be  a  scandal, 
to  bring  her  here  at  ten  o'clock  the  morning  after 
a  ball. 

[Enter  Francesca.] 

FRANCESCA 

[Fluttering  nervously. ,] 
Oh,  my  dear  Duchess  !     What  a  calamity !     What 
a  tragedy ! 

OTTAVIA 

Francesca,  don't  fidget.  I  was  just  telling  the 
Duchess  .  .  . 

DUCHESS 

Ottavia  is  so  slow,  it  takes  her  so  long  to  get  any- 
thing out.  What  has  happened,  Francesca?  I 
know  nothing. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  375 

FRANCESCA 

Guido  and  the  Marquis  dei  Sestri  quarrelled  last 
night  at  La  Marinella's.  Everybody  says  they  are 
to  fight  a  duel  to-day  —  perhaps  they  have  fought 
it  already,  and  somebody  is  certainly  dead  —  prob- 
ably both  of  them.  Oh,  Gesw  Maria!  And  to  think 
you  never  knew  it! 

[Footman  announces  Don  Filippo  di  Rossi.] 

duchess 
Information  seems  to  be  finally  reaching  me. 

COUNTESS 

This  begins  to  resemble  a  congress. 

[Enter   Rossi.     He   kisses    the   hands    of   both 
ladies.  ] 

ROSSI 

[Importantly.] 
Ah,  dear  Duchess !     It  pains  me  unspeakably  to 
bring  you  disturbing  news. 

DUCHESS 

I  have  just  heard  from  these  ladies  that  Guido 
and  Sestri  have  quarrelled  and  are  to  fight  a  duel. 
What  was  it  about? 

FRANCESCA 

A  frightful  scene  of  jealousy  about  La  Marinella. 


376  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

Not  at  all.  La  Marinella  had  nothing  to  do  with 
it.  The  trouble  began  over  the  baccarat  table. 
Sestri  took  the  bank  and  Guido  was  winning  steadily. 
He  had  a  pile  of  about  eight  thousand  scudi  on  the 
table  when  the  row  broke  out.  Just  what  happened 
nobody  seems  to  know,  but  Sestri  raked  in  the  lot. 
Guido  accused  him  of  cheating  and  Sestri  struck  at 
Guido.     Then  the  police  broke  into  the  house.   .   .   . 

OTTAVIA 

I  hope  they  arrested  the  brazen  Jezebel  —  the 
woman  of  sin,  of  whom  the  prophet  Jeremiah  de- 
clared .   .   . 

FRANCESCA 

The  prophet  Jeremiah  never  heard  of  La  Mar- 
inella. 

OTTAVIA 

There  were  Marinellas  even  in  Jeremiah's  time. 
There  are  always  Marinellas. 

DUCHESS 

Go  on,  Rossi.     What  happened  next? 

ROSSI 

The  police  were  bought  off.  The  place  was  cleared 
and  a  duel  was  arranged  for  this  morning.  The 
police  are  going  to  interfere  and  stop  it.     Cardinal 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  377 

Antonelli  has  sent  for  the  French  ambassador  and 
it  is  thought  La  Marinella  will  be  expelled  from  Rome 
this  very  day  —  whether  the  embassy  likes  it  or  not. 

OTTAVIA 

Let  Rome  be  purified. 

COUNTESS 

It  will  require  more  than  the  departure  of  La 
Marinella  to  purify  Rome.  Isabella  dear,  do  go  and 
rest.     You  can  do  nothing  now,  and  you  need  quiet. 

DUCHESS 

[Rising.] 
You  are  right,  Maria ;  at  my  age  too  many  emo- 
tions are  exhausting. 

OTTAVIA 

Call  on  me  if  you  need  assistance  or  comfort.  I 
shall  come  in  again  after  the  Requiem. 

FRANCESCA 

If  I  hear  any  more  news  I'll  come  and  tell  you, 
though  I  am  sure  everybody  will  be  in  bed  for  hours 
after  that  heavenly  ball.  (Sotto  voce.)  The 
flounces  were  too  lovely !     I  had  a  succes  fou. 

DUCHESS 

[Smiling  at  her  and  speaking  to  Rossi.] 
You  must  explain  Vatican  etiquette  to  the  Coun- 
tess ;   she   and   Donna   Angela   have   an   audience   at 


378  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

noon,  and  I  have  had  no  time  to  coach  them.     You 
will  find  the  Countess  a  shocking  liberal. 

[Exit   DtTCHESS.] 

COUNTESS 

People  in  Rome  seem  to  consider  us  Milanese  bar- 
barians and  heretics.  {To  Ottavia.)  Have  you 
ever  been  to  Milan,  Baroness  ? 

ottavia 
Miserere!     No!     What  should  I  go  to  Milan  for? 
It  is  miles  away. 

COUNTESS 

Not  too  far  for  us  to  come  here. 

OTTAVIA 

That  is  quite  different  —  all  roads  lead  to  Rome, 
you  know. 

COUNTESS 

I  am  sure  they  do ;  nothing  else  could  account  for 
the  human  pot-pourri  one  finds  here.  But  Romans 
themselves  should  travel.  They  are  very  provincial, 
and  most  of  them  seem  to  view  the  world  through  the 
window  of  a  sacristy.  It  would  do  the  Pope  so  much 
good  if  he  would  go  about  more. 

OTTAVIA 

The  Pope  go  about !     Where  should  he  go  ? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  379 

COUNTESS 

Let  him  go  to  Paris. 

ROSSI 

Or  to  Jericho. 

OTTAVIA 

The  experience  of  the  last  Pope  who  went  to  Paris 
would  hardly  encourage  his  successors  to  repeat  the 
journey. 

FRANCESCA 

And  what  did  you  think  of  the  ball,  Countess? 
Donna  Angela  was  too  sweet!  And  did  you  notice 
how  devoted  Don  Marco  was? 

COUNTESS 

Of  course  the  setting  was  superb.  I  grant  you 
there  are  no  palaces  like  the  Roman.  I  thought 
these  three  rococo  salons  hung  with  water-colours 
quite  unique. 

ROSSI 

The  older  masters  are  good,  but  the  moderns  are 
not  represented.  Princess  Crescenzi  is  a  dear  crea- 
ture, but  she  has  no  taste  for  art  —  none  whatever. 

FRANCESCA 

Wasn't  it  only  last  night  you  declared  she  was  ar- 
tistic ? 


380  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

Certainly  not.  All  women  are  artful,  some  are 
artificial,  but  none  are  artistic. 

COUNTESS 

Well,  the  ball  was  a  great  success,  and  Angela  was 
delighted.  ,  I  did  not  see  you  there,  Baroness. 

OTTAVIA 

Since  the  demise  of  my  beloved  consort,  I  have  re- 
nounced the  vanities  of  the  world.  Balls  may  be  tol- 
erated for  the  very  young,  and  the  frivolous  (look- 
ing scornfully  at  Francesca)  who  would  otherwise  go 
to  worse  places ;  but  in  the  meditations  of  Santa 
Teresa  it  is  .   .   . 

FRANCESCA 

Santa  Teresa  is  not  an  authority  on  balls. 

OTTAVIA 

Francesca,  don't  fidget! 

ROSSI 

You  were  a  vision  last  night,  Francesca. 

COUNTESS 

And  what  exquisite  laces  you  wore !  —  Point  d'Al- 
encon.     A  family  heirloom,  I  suppose? 

FRANCESCA 

Precisely,  yes. 

[Ottavia  retires  to  the  extreme  back  and  reads 
a  large  prayer-book  like  a  missal.] 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  381 

COUNTESS 

[To  Rossi.] 
Donna  Ottavia  seems  to  pass  her  life  in  pious  ex- 
ercises. 

ROSSI 

Tartuffe  in  petticoats ;  she  typifies  the  triumph  of 
piety  over  religion. 

COUNTESS 

How  monotonous. 

ROSSI 

Oh,  no !  She  finds  variety  by  constantly  meddling 
with  people  whose  only  wish  is  to  be  let  alone. 

FRANCESCA 

Do  tell  us  more  about  what  happened  last  night. 

COUNTESS 

And  since  when  has  the  famous  Marinella  aban- 
doned the  stage  to  live  in  Rome? 

ROSSI 

For  the  last  few  years  she  has  kept  a  hospitable 
house  where  men  arrive  rich  and  leave  poor. 

COUNTESS 

I  saw  her  dance  in  Paris  several  years  ago  —  she 
is  the  greatest  since  Taglioni.  I  suppose  she  has 
many  lovers? 


382  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

ROSSI 

Report  assigns  her  many.     I  almost  believe  her  to 
be  virtuous. 

COUNTESS 

And  Don  Guido? 

ROSSI 

He  was  never  her  lover ;  he  is  her  debtor. 

COUNTESS 

That  is  a  form  of  attachment.     He  seems  a  mau- 
vais  sujet  like  his  savage  father. 

GUIDO 

He  is  worse  and  with  a  difference.     The  father 
was  a  wild  boar,  if  you  like,  but  the  son  is  a  swine. 

COUNTESS 

Were  you  at  La  Marinella's  when  the  quarrel  oc- 
curred? 

ROSSI 

By  the  merest  chance,  yes. 

COUNTESS 

Then  you  do  go  there? 

ROSSI 

I  don't  go,  but  I  have  been  —  just  out  of  pure  cu- 
riosity. 

COUNTESS 

Curiosity  is  never  pure. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  383 

ROSSI 

It  is  all  that  is  left  me,  Countess.  I  am  fifty  — 
and  fat.  Nothing  remains  but  to  observe  the  fol- 
lies of  others. 

COUNTESS 

You  find  that  easy  in  Rome,  I  fancy. 

ROSSI 

Everything  is  easier  in  Rome  than  elsewhere. 
The  Romans  are  too  indolent  to  control  their  pas- 
sions and  too  indifferent  to  conceal  their  vices. 
Rome  is  the  home  of  toleration. 

COUNTESS 

I  think  of  it  as  the  home  of  fanaticism. 

ROSSI 

How  can  there  be  fanaticism  where  there  are  no 
convictions  ? 

COUNTESS 

You  forget  religion. 

ROSSI 

So  would  you  if  you  had  lived  here  as  long  as  I 
have.  Religion  is  the  chief  Roman  article  of  export, 
and  the  foreign  demand  leaves  none  of  the  commod- 
ity for  home  consumption. 

FRANCESCA 

Don  Filippo  rarely  knows  what  he  is  talking  about 


384  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

and  never  means  a  word  he  says.  He  only  loves  Na- 
ples since  he  left  it.  And  he  really  adores  Rome, 
but  it  is  his  weakness  never  to  be  witty  without  being 
ill-natured. 

COUNTESS 

I  can't  think  of  Don  Filippo  as  a  Neapolitan. 

FRANCESCA 

And  why? 

COUNTESS 

Because  I  never  knew  a  Neapolitan  who  was  not  a 
duke. 

[Enter  Valentini.     He  looks  agitated,  but  im- 
portant and  solemn.] 

ROSSI 

Well,  Valentini,  what  is  the  news? 

VALENTINI 

The  Duchess  is  not  here?     Has  she  gone  out? 

FRANCESCA 

Gone  to  her  room,  quite  upset  about  Guido. 

ROSSI 

What  is  the  news,  Valentini  ?     Of  the  duel,  I  mean. 

VALENTINI 

Don  Guido  is  dead. 

[All  exclaim,  and  Ottavia  comes  forward,  la- 
menting.] 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  ,385 

ROSSI 

We  shall  all  miss  him  —  missed  by  many  and 
mourned  by  none.      Voila  the  epitaph  of  Guido. 

ottavia 
Cut  off  in  his  sins  —  without  the  sacraments !  ex- 
communicated —  excommunicated ! 

ROSSI 

[Sarcastically.] 
Ottavia  do  be  serious  for  once.     Remember  that 
death  is  always  fundamentally  a  tragedy  that  may 
sometimes    bring    relief    but    should    never    provoke 
mirth. 

OTTAVIA 

[Scandalised.] 
Mirth!     Where  is   the  unhappy   creature's   soul? 
That  is  what  I  want  to  know. 

VALENTINI 

His  body  is  at  the  Morgue. 

ROSSI 

A  final  exhibition  of  his  taste  for  vulgar  surround- 
ings. Valentini,  you  must  see  to  his  immediate  re- 
moval ;  now  that  Guido  can  be  controlled,  he  must  be 
restored  to  good  society.  A  duke  is  out  of  place  at 
the  Morgue. 

COUNTESS 

Well,  it  is  all  sudden. 


386  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

FRANCESCA 

Death  is  apt  to  be  sudden. 

ROSSI 

And  Guido  was  always  impulsive  —  he  did  every- 
thing by  fits  and  starts. 

FRANCESCA 

Valentini,  it  is  your  duty  to  tell  the  Duchess. 

VALENTINI 

[Horrified.] 
I?     Never  I     I'll   face   the   Morgue,   but   not   the 
Duchess. 

[Exit  hastily.] 

ROSSI 

You  go,  Ottavia,  and  whatever  you  do,  don't  break 
the  news  gently. 

OTTAVIA 

I  go  to  pray  for  his  soul  —  though  I  tear  it  is  too 
late  —  too  late !     Requiescat  in  pace ! 
[Exit  Ottavia,  tragically.] 

ROSSI 

[Calling  after  her.] 
Ottavia,  don't  fidget. 

FRANCESCA 

It  is  too  distressing.     I  am  overcome. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  387 

[She  pretends  to  faint,  but  nobody  notices  her, 
so  she  gradually  revives. ~\ 

COUNTESS 

But  somebody  must  tell  her.     You  go,  Don  Fi- 
lippo. 

ROSSI 

Oh,  no.     The  providential  removal  of  Guido  is  a 
luminous  response  to  fervent  but  unspoken  prayers. 

COUNTESS 

Doubtless,  and  what  then? 

ROSSI 

The  Duchess  might  betray  her  satisfaction,  and  I 
always  avoid  witnessing  what  I  am  not  intended  to 

see. 

COUNTESS 

Tactful  man ;  but  are  none  of  you  willing  to  tell 
her  the  truth? 

ROSSI 

We  are  all  willing,  but  we  are  out  of  practice. 
[Enter  Angela.     She  is  dressed  in  a  costume 
of  black  cliantilly  lace,  with  mantilla,  for  a 
Papal  audience.'] 

ANGELA 

Mamma,  the  carriage  is  announced. 


388  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

COUNTESS 

Oh,  my  dear,  there  is  shocking  news.  We  must 
cut  our  visit  short,  and  return  to-night  to  Milan. 
The  Duke  of  Teramo  is  dead  —  killed  in  a  duel.  Be 
calm,  my  child;  don't  agitate  yourself;  be  calm! 

ANGELA 

[With  perfect  calm.'] 
Yes,  Mamma. 

ROSSI 

You  realise,  Countess,  what  this  means?  Marco 
is  now  Duke  of  Teramo. 

FRANCESCA 

Isn't  it  astonishing? 

ROSSI 

No :  it  is  a  habit  of  the  Duchess  to  have  things  her 
own  way.  Hence  was  she  long  since  styled  victori- 
ous.    She  always  wins. 

FRANCESCA 

Donna  Angela  will  make  a  charming  Duchess  of 
Teramo. 

COUNTESS 

You  go  too  fast,  Donna  Francesca ;  much  too  fast. 
Nothing  is  settled,  and  I  don't  at  all  know  what  An- 
gela thinks. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  389 

FRANCESCA 

[To  Angela.] 
You  have  captivated  all  hearts  in  Rome,  Donna 
Angela  —  you  have  only  to  choose.     Don  Marco  is 
at  your  feet. 

COUNTESS 

Pay  no  attention  to  what  Donna  Francesca  says, 
my  dear.      She  romances. 

ANGELA 

[Timidly.] 
Well,  Mamma,  you  always  said  you  liked  sailors. 

COUNTESS 

I  think  you  must  be  mistaken,  my  child.  I  know 
very  little  about  them,  except  that  they  seem  to  lead 
rather  damp  lives  and  are  too  flighty  to  make  good 
husbands.  After  Bartlett's  disquieting  revelations 
about  the  wife  in  every  port,  I  could  never  allow  you 
to  marry  a  sailor. 

ROSSI 

The  Duke  of  Teramo  will  hardly  remain  in  the 
navy. 

[Enter  Teresa.] 

TERESA 

The  carriage  is  waiting  for  Your  Excellency. 

COUNTESS 

Come,  Angela.  Teresa,  there  is  bad  news:  the 
Duke  of  Teramo  is  dead. 


390  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

TERESA 

[Crossing  herself.] 
God  rest  his  soul !     What  a  relief  for  my  mistress  ! 
It  is  not  often  the  right  people  die. 

COUNTESS 

But  the  Duchess  does  not  know  it:  you  must  tell 
her,  Teresa. 

TERESA 

Madonna  santissima !  I  carry  death  tidings  ? 
Never ! 

COUNTESS 

Apparently  the  Duchess  will  be  the  last  person  in 
Rome  to  hear  of  her  son's  death. 

[Enter  Footman,  carrying  a  letter  on  a  sal- 
ver.] 

footman 
For  her  Excellency:  a  lady  is  waiting. 

[Teresa  takes  the  letter  and  goes  to  the  Duch- 
ess' room.~\ 

ROSSI 

Permit  me  to  see  you  to  your  carriage,  Countess. 
What  would  your  late  father-in-law,  General  Cava- 
lese,  say  to  your  going  to  kiss  the  Pope's  foot? 

COUNTESS 

Oh,  the  General  was  quite  willing  to  kiss  the  Pope's 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  391 

feet,  but  he  thought  it  wise  to  tie  his  hands.     Come, 
Angela.     What  a  household! 

[Exeunt.] 

[Enter  Teresa.] 

TERESA 

[To  Footman.] 
Show  the  lady  in  here. 

[Enter  Duchess,  carrying  an  open  letter. ] 

DUCHESS 

[Sot to  voce.] 
One  of  my  stolen  letters.  This  is  strange  .  .  . 
strange.  (She  seats  herself  by  the  table,  front.} 
You  may  go,  Teresa;  and  see  that  I  am  not  inter- 
rupted. If  Dr.  Negroni  returns  from  the  hospital, 
come  and  tell  me;  but  otherwise  I  am  not  to  be  dis- 
turbed. 

TERESA 

Yes,  Your  Excellency. 

[Exit  Teresa.] 

[Footman  opens  the  door.] 

[Enter  La  Marinella.  Footman  closes  the 
door  behind  her.  She  wears  a  dark  cloak 
completely  covering  her  dress,  and  a  thick 
veil;  these  she  at  once  removes  and  stands, 
superbly  dressed,  wearing  ermine  furs  and 
the  three  strings  of  pearls,  before  the  Duch- 
ess :  her  air  is  defiant,  and  triumphant.     The 


392  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

Duchess  looks  at  her  intently,  but  with 
haughty  curiosity,  neither  rising  nor  asking 
her  to  be  seated.] 

DUCHESS 

[Very  deliberately.'] 
You  are  the  bearer  of  this  letter? 

[Marinella  assents  with  an  inclination  barely 
perceptible.'] 
and  you  have  others  —  in  your  possession? 

MARINELLA 

Yes,  the  others  —  all  of  them. 

DUCHESS 

And  you  have  come  here  to  give  them  to  me? 

MARINELLA 

No. 

DUCHESS 

To  sell  them  to  me? 

MARINELLA 

I  do  not  sell,  Duchess ;  I  buy. 

DUCHESS 

This  is  the  second  time  within  twenty-four  hours 
that  you  dare  to  present  yourself  in  my  house. 

MARINELLA 

[Seating  herself.] 
It  is  not  I  who  am  in  this  house  on  sufferance. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

Let  there  be  no  mistake  in  our  relative  positions.  If 
you  are,  in  appearance,  at  home  in  this  house,  it  is 
solely  because  I  do  not  choose  to  say  the  word  that 
would  turn  you  out  of  it. 

DUCHESS 

Your  intention  is  evidently  to  be  insolent. 

MARINELLA 

My  intention  is  to  accomplish  a  work  of  tardy  jus- 
tice. Four  years  ago  I  established  myself  in  Rome 
for  one  sole  purpose  —  to  force  you  to  expiate  your 
crimes  against  God  and  against  humanity. 

DUCHESS 

You  are  melodramatic.  I  fail  to  recognise  my- 
self in  the  character  you  assign  me.  The  only  thing 
I  am  interested  in  hearing  from  you  is  the  terms  on 
which  I  am  to  recover  my  private  letters,  which  were 
stolen  from  me  last  night,  and  which  have  found  their 
way,  somehow,  into  your  possession. 

MARINELEA 

I  bought  them  from  your  son  Guido. 

DUCHESS 

I  did  not  ask  to  know. 

MARINELLA 

Ah  !  but  you  shall  know  —  that  and  more.  En- 
trenched behind  your  high  rank  and  the  homage  af 


394  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

jour  world  —  you  have  heard  only  what  it  suited 
you  to  hear.  One  by  one  the  barriers  that  hedged 
you  off  from  the  consequences  of  your  selfishness  and 
hypocrisy  have  fallen.  It  was  left  for  me  to  break 
down  the  last  one. 

DUCHESS 

If  you  have  forced  your  way  into  my  presence  to 
relieve  your  feelings  in  a  torrent  of  violent  language, 
this  conversation  had  better  end  now.  Women  of 
your  class  .  .  . 

MARINELLA 

Of  my  class?  I  am  from  necessity  what  you  are 
from  choice.  That  is  the  only  difference  between 
us.  The  evidence  of  these  letters  —  your  royal  lov- 
er's hand  and  yours  —  puts  us  in  precisely  the  same 
class.  You  have  kept  the  world's  respect,  while  I 
have  lost  it.  Public  opinion  is  a  capricious  tribunal 
that  condemns  without  proof  and  punishes  without 
mercy;  it  also  protects  without  justice  and  rewards 
without  merit.  But  I  return  scorn  for  scorn.  I 
despise  your  world  which  despises  me,  and  I  appeal 
to  the  justice  of  God  to  judge  between  us  —  between 
the  Duchess  of  Teramo  and  La  Marinella. 

DUCHESS 

I  trust,  Signora,  that  I  am,  in  spite  of  my  many 
faults,  too  good  a  Christian  to  despise  any  one.     I 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  395 

know  you  only  by  reputation,  and  while  public  opin- 
ion is  based  on  appearances,  appearances  are  not  al- 
ways misleading.  I  am  aware  of  no  reason  why  your 
enmity  towards  the  world,  whose  judgments  you  af- 
fect to  despise,  should  be  visited  upon  me. 

MARINELLA 

Because  it  is  you  who  have  made  me  what  I  am. 

\  DUCHESS 

Do  you  mean  that  my  son  has  wronged  you? 

MARINELLA 

Oh,  no !  Your  son's  weakness  is  not  woman  —  he 
is  a  libertine,  devoid  both  of  sentiment  and  passion; 
he  has  only  appetites.  The  conquest  of  a  gambler 
is  easy  enough  and  I  have  helped  him  generously  on 
his  road  to  ruin.  During  the  past  four  years  I  have 
carefully  bought  every  debt  —  every  I.O.U.,  every 
mortgage  Don  Guido  ever  made,  until  I  held  him  at 
my  mercy.  {Touching  her  pearls.)  I  even  own 
these. 

DUCHESS 

My  pearls  !     This  is  insufferable ! 

MARINELLA 

Last  night,  in  exchange  for  the  packet  of  letters 
he  brought  me,  I  cancelled  all  his  indebtedness,  and 
he  is  free  —  his  properties  are  again  his  own,  so 
precious  to  me  are  those  letters. 


396  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

Am  I  also  to  hear  the  explanation  of  this  mystery  ? 

MARINELLA 

Do  you  remember  the  year  1847? 

DUCHESS 

As  well  as  any  other. 

MARINELLA 

Do  you  remember  that  on  a  certain  evening  in  De- 
cember of  that  year,  there  came  to  you  a  woman, 
leading  by  the  hand  her  child,  to  plead  with  you  to 
save  her  husband's  life,  to  speak  a  word  on  his  behalf 
to  the  King  of  Naples  and  obtain  his  release  from  the 
dungeon  of  Sant'  Elmo,  where  he  was  being  tortured, 
for  no  crime  but  merely  on  suspicion?  Do  you  re- 
member that  woman? 

DUCHESS 

Elena  Cavaniglia,  from  Capua. 

MARINELLA 

Who  had  been  your  school  friend,  when  you  were 
girls  together  in  the  convent. 

DUCHESS 

We  called  her  La  Santarella,  because  she  was  so 
good ;  and  one  girl,  an  ecstatic  creature,  declared  she 
sometimes  saw  a  halo  around  her  head. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  397 

MARINELLA 

That  girl  saw  true ;  the  halo  was  there,  and  you 
did  well  to  call  her  La  Santarella,  for  she  was  one  of 
God's  saints. 

DUCHESS 

And  you  ?  —  what  was  Elena  Cavaniglia  to  you  ? 

MARINELLA 

[Bowing  her  head  in  her  hands.] 
My  mother. 

DUCHESS 

And  she  .   .   .    ?     Is  she  living? 

MARINEELA 

You  murdered  her  that  December  night  twenty 
years  ago  when  you  repulsed  her  and  drove  her  out 
into  the  streets  of  Naples.  That  was  the  only  home 
we  knew  until  my  dear  mother  died  of  starvation  in 
a  cellar  at  Portici.  You  don't  know  much  about  the 
life  an  abandoned  orphan  girl  leads  in  the  slums 
of  Naples,  I  fancy.  During  four  years  I  lived  hon- 
estly, for  I  felt  the  presence  of  my  sainted  mother 
always  hovering  around  me.  Finally,  one  hot  day 
in  June,  when  I  had  gone  fasting  from  dawn,  I  sank 
exhausted  by  the  side  of  the  road.  I  was  dazed,  and 
almost  faint.  Suddenly  there  was  a  movement 
amongst  the  people,  and  the  way  was  cleared :  a  bril- 
liant carriage  drawn  by  prancing  horses  rolled 
through  the  parting  crowd.     I  caught  a  glimpse  of 


398  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

the  profile  of  a  woman  in  a  cloud  of  lace,  shaded  by  a 
rose-coloured  parasol.  The  dirt  from  the  wheels 
struck  me  in  the  face  where  I  crouched  in  the  gutter 
—  and  I  heard  people  saying  to  one  another :  "  The 
Duchess  of  Teramo !  The  Duchess  of  Tcramo !  "  in 
hushed  tones  of  admiration,  almost  as  though  the  Sa- 
cred Host  had  passed  by.  Then  I  surrendered. 
Verga,  master  of  the  ballet  at  the  San  Carlo,  took 
me  in  and  for  three  years  trained  me.  Finally  the 
opportunity  came:  late  in  the  afternoon  of  a  gala 
performance  for  the  King's  birthday,  the  prima  as- 
soluta,  the  famous  Contarini,  was  taken  ill:  the  im- 
presario was  in  despair,  when,  at  the  last  moment, 
Verga  produced  me.  The  triumph  of  that  evening 
was  but  the  first  of  all  that  followed  during  the  eight 
years  I  danced.  The  dancing  of  La  Marinella  be- 
came the  sensation  of  the  capitals  of  Europe,  and  a 
torrent  of  gold  was  poured  at  my  feet.  From  pen- 
ury and  obscurity  I  leaped  into  fame  and  luxury  — 
but  at  the  cost  of  all  that  I  prized  —  my  honour. 
For  me,  sin  was  sacrifice ;  pleasure  I  never  knew,  for 
the  sense  of  my  degradation  was  never  absent.  My 
mother's  spirit  haunted  me  —  I  could  never  free  my- 
self from  her  presence. 

DUCHESS 

[Softly.] 
Signora,  your  story  moves  me  more  than  you  may 
think. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  399 

MARINELLA 

I  have  not  come  here  to  solicit  your  pity.  If  I 
have  shown  you  something  of  my  life,  it  was  that  you 
might  realise  your  guilt,  not  to  arouse  your  compas- 
sion for  my  shame.  My  mother  knelt  to  you  —  and 
she  knelt  in  vain.  Her  death  and  the  sacrifice  of  my 
honour  were  the  consequences.  The  sacrifice  of 
yours  is  the  expiation  I  exact. 

DUCHESS 

Your  mother  would  not  .  .  . 

MARINELLA 

You  are  not  worthy  to  speak  my  mother's  name. 
I  intend  the  world  shall  see  you  and  know  you  as  I  do, 
as  it  knows  me.  I  intend  to  publish  the  correspond- 
ence between  you  and  the  King.  I  might  have  mar- 
ried your  son  Guido  and  worn  your  title,  but  that 
would  have  made  you  a  martyr  in  the  eyes  of  your 
world.  It  is  your  humiliation  I  exact.  Now  you 
know  why  I  paid  the  price  I  did  for  your  letters. 

DUCHESS 

[Calmly.] 
How  did  you  know  of  the  existence  of  those  let- 
ters ? 

MARINELLA 

Three  years  ago  I  had  in  my  pay  a  person  who  oc- 
cupied a  confidential  position  in  your  household:  it 


400  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

was  he  who  saw  the  letters  and  who  was  to  have  se- 
cured them  for  me. 

DUCHESS 

I  understand.  He  was  caught  in  the  act  of  rifling 
my  cabinet.     I  remember. 

MARINELLA 

It  was  then  that  I  turned  to  Don  Guido.  I  found 
him  devoid  of  scruples  and  indifferent  to  honour:  it 
only  required  time  to  bring  him  to  it. 

DUCHESS 

Then  you  sent  him  here  to  rob  me? 


MARINELLA 


I    did. 


DUCHESS 

You  have  paid  a  much  greater  price  for  those 
poor,  guilty  letters,  Signora,  than  >ou  imagine.  I 
will  not  defend  myself  against  your  accusations. 
You  will  know  the  truth  very  soon.  After  that,  you 
may  do  as  you  like  with  my  letters.  Does  your 
father  also  judge  me  as  you  do? 

MARINELLA 

He  is  dead.  Tortured  to  death,  perhaps,  in  the 
prisons  of  Naples  by  the  friends  who  seized  him, 
and,  despite  his  innocence,  murdered  him.  They 
were  your   friends,   Duchess,   those  monsters   of  in- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  401 

iquity  who  ground  the  people's  faces  and  drained 
their  blood  in  those  days.  You,  more  than  all  oth- 
ers, incarnated  their  pride,  their  cruelty,  their  hy- 
pocrisy. It  is  for  that  I  have  planned  and  striven 
for  your  punishment.  The  hope  of  humiliating  you 
has  been  my  lodestar ;  it  has  been  my  religion. 

duchess 
[Calmly.'] 
And  if  your  father  were  not  dead? 

MARINEL1A 

If  he  were  not  dead? 

DUCHESS 

You  have  no  proof  of  his  death.  You  arraign  me 
for  murder  without  even  knowing  that  your  father 
is  dead.  What  if  you  have  fed  your  disordered 
frenzy  for  vengeance  on  a  fiction  of  your  imagina- 
tion ? 

MARINELIA 

Were  he  not  dead,  I  should  have  found  him.  I 
have  wealth  and  I  have  powerful  friends,  all  of  which 
I  have  used  to  trace  my  father's  whereabouts.  Pris- 
ons have  been  searched,  their  records  examined  — 
everything  has  been  done  over  and  over  again,  but 
without  result.  If  Sisto  Santucci  still  lived,  I  should 
have  found  him  six  years  ago,  when  I  went  to  Naples 
with  influence  behind  me  that  opened  every  door  of 


402  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

search.     But  no  cell  gave  up  its  victim  —  no  grave 
gave  up  its  dead. 

DUCHESS 

And  yet,  I  say,  you  have  no  proof.  I  will  not 
argue  about  the  responsibility  you  would  fasten  on 
me  for  your  mother's  sufferings  and  for  the  ruin  of 
your  young  life.  But  I  ask  you,  suppose  your  fa- 
ther were  living  —  would  you  want  to  see  him  ? 

MARINELLA 

I  would  give  all  I  possess  to  know  that  he  lived  — 
to  see  him.  But  you  are  playing  with  me ;  you  seek 
to  soften  me  by  talking  of  my  father  —  by  holding 
out  possibilities  —  hopes  that  he  may  still  live. 
(Sneeringly.)  You  are  doubtless  a  very  astute 
woman,  Duchess,  in  your  own  world  —  but  spare 
yourself  such  feeble  efforts  to  turn  me  from  my  pur- 
pose. 

DUCHESS 

Perhaps  you  have  always  been  moved  by  pity  for 
yourself  rather  than  love  for  your  parents ;  it  is 
yourself  you  seek  to  revenge  —  not  them,  else  you 
would  welcome  the  hope  I  offer  you. 

MARINELLA 

It  is  a  false  one.  I  distrust  you  as  much  as  I 
hate  you.  It  is  idle  for  us  to  discuss.  I  came  to  tell 
you  my  intentions;  now  I  go  to  fulfil  them.  (She 
moves  towards  door.) 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  403 

DUCHESS 

Every  step  you  take  away  from  me  carries  you 
farther  from  your  father. 

MARINELLA 

[Turning.'} 
What  do  you  mean  —  farther  from  my  father  ? 

DUCHESS 

That  your  father  is  here. 

MARINELLA 

[Overcome.'] 
Here  ?     Here  ?     Where  ? 

DUCHESS 

But  a  few  yards  distant  —  he  is  in  the  next  room. 

MARINELLA 

Ah !  Ah !  God  forgive  you  if  you  are  tricking 
me.  No !  it  is  not  possible.  I  will  kill  you  with  my 
hands,  here  in  this  room,  if  you  are  lying  to  me ! 

duchess 
[Calmly.] 
I  am  telling  you  the  truth.     Your  father  is  in  the 
next  room  —  under  my  protection  —  but  in  danger 
of  his  life.      (She  rises.) 

MARINELLA 

In  danger? 


404  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

Signora  Marinella,  I  have  heard  you  denounce  me 
as  a  murderer,  and  I  have  had  patience  while  you 
made  your  appeal  to  God  for  Justice,  and  talked  of 
your  sacred  right  to  vengeance.  Now  listen  to  me, 
for  I  will  show  you  the  foolishness,  the  wickedness 
you  have  blindly  worked.  After  drawing  him  on  to 
his  ruin,  you  sent  a  son  to  rob  his  mother  of  letters 
that  you  might  deliver  family  secrets  to  the  world 
and  disgrace  her  whom  you  have  erected  into  your 
enemy.  You  conclude  an  infamous  bargain  with  my 
unnatural  son  and  you  bought  from  him  my  letters. 
I  told  you  a  few  moments  since  that  you  had  paid  a 
far  higher  price  for  them  than  you  imagined. 

MARINELLA 

What  do  you  mean?  What  has  this  to  do  with 
my  father's  presence  here  ?  —  if  he  be  here. 

DUCHESS 

The  price  you  paid  was  your  father's  life. 

MARINELLA 

Ah !      Ah ! 

DUCHESS 

You  sent  Don  Guido  to  rob  —  he  also  murdered. 

MARINELLA 

Murdered? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  405 

DUCHESS 

Your  father,  Sisto  Santucci,  escaped  two  days  ago 
from  Castel  Sant'  Angelo ;  he  found  his  way  through 
secret  underground  passages  that  led  him  into  this 
palace  and  into  this  room  where  I  was.  He  was  ex- 
hausted, famished,  bitten  by  hungry  rats,  half 
frozen  because  he  was  almost  naked.  I  restored  him, 
fed  him,  hid  him  in  that  room,  unknown  to  any  one. 

MARINELLA 

No!  No!  It  can't  be.  My  father  is  dead  .  .  . 
dead.     You  are  mistaken. 

DUCHESS 

I  am  not  mistaken.  He  sat  there  by  the  fire  last 
night  and  told  me  his  story.  An  hour  later,  Don 
Guido,  sent  by  you,  entered  this  room  as  a  thief  and 
forced  the  lock  of  yonder  cabinet.  Santucci  heard 
the  noise  and  came  to  see  what  was  happening.  He 
mistook  my  son  for  a  housebreaker  and  tried  to  stop 
him.  They  struggled,  but  your  father  was  weak, 
and  Guido  struck  him  on  the  head  with  this  knife  and 
felled  him  senseless  to  the  floor.  Thus  you  obtained 
my  letters.     That  was  the  price  you  paid. 

MARINELLA 

Oh!  Diomio!  Dio  mio!  He  is  dead!  —  my 
father  is  dead ! 


406  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

No,  he  is  not  dead,  but  his  condition  is  very  grave. 
The  doctor  does  not  exclude  hope,  though  he  offers 
none.  I  have  sent  him  to  arrange  to  have  Santucci 
carried  to  the  hospital  and  I  have  asked  the  Mother 
Superior  to  allow  him  inside  the  clausura,  where  he 
will  be  in  no  danger  of  being  found  —  for  the  police 
are  hunting  for  him. 

MARINELLA 

You  .  .  .  you  have  done  this  for  my  father? 
And  what  shall  I  say  to  you? 

DUCHESS 

Say  nothing,  but  learn  how  dangerous,  how  fool- 
hardy it  is  for  us  poor  humans  to  tamper  with  the 
wheels  of  fate,  that  move  ever  on,  despite  our  wills 
and  heedless  of  our  understanding.  Vengeance  is 
not  ours,  but  God's,  and  we  are  forbidden  to  judge 
one  another  —  how,  then,  shall  we  claim  the  right  to 
punish? 

MARINELLA 

But  my  father  —  when  shall  I  see  him  ? 

DUCHESS 

That  must  be  managed  with  caution,  for  a  shock 
—  even  of  joy  —  might  kill  him.  I  faithfully  prom- 
ised him  that  I  would  find  you  and  bring  you  to  him. 
He  longs  to  see  you ;  he  lives  only  on  that  hope,  for 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  407 

that  jo j.     To  die  free,  with  you  by  his  side  to  re- 
ceive his  blessing  and  close  his  eyes. 

MARINEKLA 

And  I.  .  .  .  Oh,  Dio  mio!  How  am  I  to  see 
him?  Should  he  suspect  the  life  I  have  led,  he  would 
drive  me  from  his  presence  with  his  curse. 

DUCHESS 

He  need  never  know.     Well,  Teresa? 
[Enter  Teresa.] 

TERESA 

Dr.  Negroni  has  returned,  Your  Excellency. 

DUCHESS 

Is  there  any  one  with  him  ? 

TERESA 

Yes,  Your  Excellency,  two  bearers  from  the  hos- 
pital, who  bring  a  stretcher. 

DUCHESS 

Show  them  through  to  the  chaplain's  room. 
[Exit  Teresa.] 
[To  Marinei/la.] 
Stand  behind  this  screen.     You  will  see  your  fa- 
ther without  him  seeing  you.     Make  no  sound. 

[They  arrange  the  screen,  behind  which  Mari- 
nella  takes  her  place,  nervously  twitching 
her  hands  and  showing  signs  of  intense  agita- 


408  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

tion;  meanwhile  Negroni  and  the  bearers, 
followed  by  Teresa,  have  crossed  the  room 
and  passed  through  the  small  door,  bearing  a 
stretcher.  They  return  in  an  instant:  San- 
tucci,  looking  ghastly  pale,  with  bandaged 
head,  lies  inanimate,  covered  with  a  white" 
sheet:  they  put  him  down  where  Marinella 
can  see  him.] 

DUCHESS 

[Softly  to  Negroni.] 
Is  everything  arranged  as  I  desired? 

NEGRONI 

Everything.     The  Mother  Superior  is  happy  to 
obey  you. 

DUCHESS 

Please  wait  with  these  men  in  the  next  room.     Ne- 
groni, I  wish  to  speak  alone  with  your  patient. 

NEGRONI 

Certainly.     No  agitation,  remember. 

[Exeunt  Negroni  and  Men,  and  Teresa.] 

duchess 
[Kneeling  by  the  stretcher.'] 
Signor  Santucci,  you  are  going  now  to  Santa 
Monica  Hospital,  where  the  Mother  Superior  has 
consented  to  receive  you  inside  the  clausura,  and 
where  the  good  nuns  will  faithfully  attend  to  you. 
There  you  will  be  safe  from  pursuit. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  409 

SANTUCCI 

[Feebly.] 
God  bless  you,  Duchess.     I  shall  need  no  refuge 
long. 

DUCHESS 

Don't  say  that,  my  friend.  You  are  weak,  but 
you  must  get  back  your  strength.     Now  you  are  free 

—  after  years  of  imprisonment  and  suffering,  you 
are  free,  and  you  must  live  (glancing  at  Marinella) 
for  your  daughter's  sake. 

SANTUCCI 

My  daughter !  —  my  darling  Mari'  Elena !  Ah ! 
were  she  with  me,  who  knows?  perhaps  she  might  give 
me  strength.     My  little  girl  —  my  little  girl ! 

DUCHESS 

She  is  no  longer  a  little  girl  now  —  she  is  a  grown 
woman. 

SANTUCCI 

Yes,  a  woman  —  a  good  woman,  like  her  dear 
mother,  for  she  had  her  mother's  sweet  eyes  and  pure 
brow:  her  mother,  Duchess,  was  a  saint.  I  some- 
times almost  trembled  when  I  came  into  her  presence 

—  there  was  something  intangibly  sacred  about  her. 
I  was  not  a  religious  man,  but  when  I  looked  at  my 
wife  with  our  child  in  her  arms,  I  realised  the  sanc- 
tity of  motherhood.  Perhaps  Mari'  Elena  has  chil- 
dren of  her  own.     What  joy  for  me  to  find  her  happy 

—  surrounded  by  her  family  ! 


410  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

But  .  .  .  suppose,  Signor  Sanctucci  .  .  .  just 
suppose  it  were  otherwise.  Suppose  she  has  been 
unfortunate,  that  she  has  gone  under  in  the  struggle? 
You  spoke  last  night  of  the  dangers  and  temptations 
that  beset  defenceless  girls.  Suppose  you  were  to 
find  your  daughter  .   .   .  unhappy? 

SANTUCCI 

Dishonoured?  No!  I  would  rather  she  were 
dead. 

DUCHESS 

Has  suffering  taught  you  so  little?  Misery  is  the 
mother  of  much  sin.  You  said  your  child  was  beau- 
tiful, but  beauty  is  more  often  a  woman's  ruin  than 
her  happiness.  Ah !  my  friend,  you  were  innocent, 
and  yet  you  were  caught  up  in  the  merciless  wheels  of 
fate,  and  ground  to  powder.  Innocence  does  not 
protect  —  it  betrays.  We  cannot  know  whether 
your  daughter's  innocence  was  her  salvation  or  her 
perdition.  If  she  is  now  unhappy,  she  will  need  you 
all  the  more  —  and  will  you,  therefore,  love  her  less  ? 

SANTUCCI 

Need  me?  How  can  I  help  any  one,  when  I  can- 
not help  myself? 

DUCHESS 

You  can  give  her  your  love.     If  she  suffers  under 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  411 

the  harsh  judgment  of  the  world,  she  will  need  the 
refuge  that  only  you  can  offer  her  —  a  father's  love. 

SANTUCCI 

You  are  right,  Duchess;  the  world's  judgments 
are  cruel.  If  my  child  has  fallen  ...  a  victim  to 
misery,  she  is  still  my  daughter,  all  the  more  my 
daughter.  I  shall  want  her  love,  just  the  same. 
May  God  send  her  to  me ! 

DUCHESS 

I  feel  that  your  prayer  will  be  answered  —  your 
wish  granted. 

SANTUCCI 

[Hopefully.] 
Almost,  I  believe  you.     I  feel  somehow  as  though 
she  were  near  me.     Perhaps  it  is  the  fever,  but  her 
sweet  presence  seems  near,  so  near. 

DUCHESS 

I  don't  think  it  is  the  fever.  You  know  I  prom- 
ised  you  to  search  for  her  —  to  leave  no  stone  un- 
turned until  I  found  her. 

SANTUCCI 

You  have  been  an  angel  of  mercy  and  hope  to  me. 

DUCHESS 

I  have  good  news  for  you.  Oh !  nothing  absolutely 
certain,  so  don't  agitate  yourself,  but  some  indica- 


412  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

tion,  some  hopeful  sign,  a  trace  which  I  shall  follow. 
I  have  spoken  with  one  this  morning  who  knew  her, 
who  knows  her,  and  who,  I  feel  confident,  will  bring 
Mari'  Elena  to  you. 

SANTUCCI 

I  will  live  —  I  must  live  till  then.  Mari' —  Mari' 
Elena,  my  child,  come  back  to  your  desolate  father! 
.  .  .  come  to  sweeten  his  last  hour,  to  close  his  weary 
eyes  !     Ah,  Duchess,  will  she  come  ? 

DUCHESS 

She  will  come,  my  friend,  she  will.     I,  too,  feel  it 

just  as  strongly  as  you  do,  and  I  have  no  fever.      But 

you  must  get  strong  —  keep  quiet  and  get  strong. 

[She  goes  to  the  door  and  summons  Negroni, 

the  Men  and  Teresa,  who  enter.     The  Men 

raise  the  stretcher  and  go  out,  preceded  by 

Teresa,  who  opens  and  closes  the  door,  while 

Negroni  walks  by  the  side.] 

SANTUCCI 

Farewell,  Duchess.  Let  me  kiss  your  hand.  Are 
you  sure  you  have  forgiven  me?  You  won't  leave  me 
alone  ? 

DUCHESS 

[Playfully.] 
Don't  ask  foolish  questions,  my  friend,  and  remem- 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  413 

ber  all  I  have  told  you.     I  will  come  to  see  you,  Mari' 
Elena  and  I  will  come  together.     Good-bye. 
[Exeunt.] 

[Marinelea  has  assisted  at  this  scene,  over- 
come with  conflicting  emotions:  she  now  takes 
the  pearls  from  her  neck,  the  packet  of  let- 
ters in  a  blue  silk  covering  from  her  pocket, 
and  comes  towards  the  Duchess,  before  whom 
she  sinks  to  her  knees  in  a  posture  of  extreme 
humility,  silently  holding  up  the  pearls  and 
the  packet.  As  the  Duchess  takes  them,  she 
touches  Marine lla's  hand  with  a  kindly  pat; 
a  faint  smile  of  satisfaction,  quickly  sup- 
pressed, plays  on  her  face.] 

duchess 
Did  you  recognise  him? 

MARINELLA 

[With  covered  face,  nods  assent.] 
Tell  me  what  I  must  do  to  be  with  him. 

duchess 
Do  you  wish  to  go  to  the  hospital? 

marinella 
I  wish  to  be  with  my  father.  I  will  give  all  I  pos- 
sess to  that  hospital,  if  they  will  only  let  me  come 
there  as  a  servant  —  as  anything,  so  that  I  may  be 
with  him.  I  loathe  my  life  and  I  will  leave  it,  if  those 
nuns  will  take  me. 


414  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

I  am  Patroness  of  Santa  Monica's,  and  I  will  ask 
the  Mother  Superior  to  admit  you  to  the  ward  and 
give  you  the  habit  on  probation.  None  of  the  sisters 
will  know  who  you  are,  only  the  Reverend  Mother. 
You  may  choose  your  own  time  and  way  to  reveal 
yourself  to  your  father. 

MARINELLA 

You  will  do  this  .  .  .  for  me  .  .  .  who  .  .  .  ? 
Oh !  Duchess,  my  humiliation,  my  misery  is  abject. 
...  I  don't  .  .   . 

DUCHESS 

There,  there ;  let  us  say  no  more  of  the  mistakes  — 
our  mistakes  —  in  the  past ;  it  is  the  present  that 
concerns  us. 

[Enter  Maiico  ;  he  looks  agitated  and  does  not 
perceive  Marinella  at  first.] 

MARCO 

Madre  cara,  there  is  bad  news !     Guido  *  .  . 

MARINELLA 

[Aside.] 
His  mother!     (She  shrinks  back.) 

DUCHESS 

Well,  what  of  him? 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHE  —  415 

MARCO 

Guido  was  wounded  this  morning  .  .   .  seriou* 
perhaps  even  mortally,  in  a  duel  with  the  Marquis  dei 
Sestri.     We  must  be  prepared  for  the  worst. 

DUCHESS 

You  mean  that  he  is   .   .   .  dead? 

MARCO 

[Embracing  her.] 
—  he  is  dead,  an  hour  ago. 

DUCHESS 

[A  moment's  silence.] 
He  lived  an  unworthy  life  and  he  has  died  an  evil 
death.     May  God  have  mercy  on  his  soul! 

MARCO 

[Seeing  Marixella.] 
Elena !     You  here  with  my  mother ! 

DUCHESS 

Elena? 

MARCO 

Elena.     You  surely  know  that? 

MARINELLA 

[Advancing.] 
Duchess,  he  did  not  know  ...  he  does  not  know. 


416  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

DUCHESS 

[In  hard  tones.] 
You  are  the  woman  —  the  widow  —  my  son  met 
last  autumn  at  Gaeta? 

MARCO 

Of  course  she  is.  If  you  don't  know  her,  how  does 
she  come  here? 

DUCHESS 

She  is  the  daughter  of  Sisto  Santucci. 

MARCO 

The  escaped  prisoner? 

MARINELLA 

Does  he  know? 

DUCHESS 

He  helped  last  night  to  care  for  your  father,  and  I 
told  him  the  story. 

MARCO 

Then  you  do  know  her,  and  her  mother  was  your 
school-friend.  How  glad  I  am !  You  said  last 
night  that  all  you  wanted  was  to  see  her  and  to  know 
who  she  was.  Remember  your  promise  not  to  op- 
pose our  marriage. 

DUCHESS 

She  is  Elena  Santucci,  but  she  bears  another  .   .  . 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  417 

MARINELLA 

Stop !     stop !     I  forbid  you  to  speak.   .  .  . 

DUCHESS 

You  forbid? 

MARINELLA 

No,  no.  I  don't  mean  that.  I  entreat  ...  I 
implore  you,  Duchess,  be  silent! 

DUCHESS 

And  sacrifice  my  son  ?  Never !  This  boy  is  mine 
—  he  is  all  I  have,  all  I  have  ever  had  in  this  world, 
and  I  will  defend  him  against  you,  against  himself,  at 
no  matter  what  cost.  You  shall  not  ruin  another 
Duke  of  Teramo. 

MARCO 

Another  ? 

MARINELLA 

For  pity's  sake  —  for  God's  sake,  Duchess,  don't ! 
don't !  Give  me  a  moment's  time,  and  I  will  explain. 
I  will  make  him  understand.  (She  essays  a  lighter 
tone.)  Why,  he  has  told  you  all  about  our  meeting 
and  our  mornings  in  Gaeta.  It  all  happened  by 
chance,  and  I  did  not  even  know  who  he  was.  No 
harm  was  done,  and  you  must  not  take  his  folly  too 
seriously. 

MARCO 

Folly  !     You  call  my  love  for  you  folly  ? 


418  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARINELLA 

Yes,  Marco  dear,  the  maddest  folly.  You  call  it 
love,  but  it  is  merely  your  first  illusion.  I  owe  you 
the  happiest  hours  of  my  life  —  of  my  very  sad  life 
—  but  I  like  you  too  well  to  make  a  fool  of  you,  and 
not  well  enough  to  make  a  fool  of  myself. 

MARCO 

You  have  deceived  me  ...    ? 

MARINELLA 

When  a  man  deceives  himself,  he  always  blames  a 
woman  — 

MARCO 

You  told  me  you  had  never  loved  any  one  else,  and 
that  no  one  could  ever  love  you  as  I  do. 

MARINELLA 

Yes,  yes !  No  one's  love  for  me  could  ever  be  like 
yours  —  that  is  what  I  said,  Marco,  and  I  meant  it. 
I  do  mean  it. 

MARCO 

Then  you  are  mine,  and  nothing  shall  part  us. 

DUCHESS 

I  restored  your  father  to  you;  now  give  me  back 
my  son.  Since  he  is  deaf  to  reason,  he  must  hear 
truth. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  419 

MARCO 

Last  night  my  mother  had  never  heard  of  you  — 
apparently  —  nor  did  you  know  I  was  her  son ;  and 
this  morning  I  find  you  closeted  together.  How  did 
you  come  here?     Why  did  you  come  here? 

MARINELLA 

Your  mother  has  saved  my  father's  life.  It  is  she 
who  has  brought  us  together  and  henceforth  I  shall 
live  only  for  him.  There  is  no  room  in  my  life,  no 
desire  in  my  heart  for  any  one  or  anything  else ;  that 
is  my  answer,  Marco.     Now  let  me  go. 

MARCO 

[Stepping  before  her.~\ 
No,  you  shall  not  go. 

DUCHESS 

Marco,  let  her  go.  Signora,  cut  short  this  pain- 
ful scene  and  leave  us. 

MARCO 

When  she  leaves,  I  go  with  her.  She  is  to  be  my 
wife. 

MARINELLA 

No,  no,  no ! 

DUCHESS 

For  that  my  consent  is  necessary.  You  are  still  a 
minor,  and  there  is  the  law. 


420  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARCO 

We  can  wait. 

DUCHESS 

[With  sarcasm.'] 
Or  dispense  with  the  ceremony  —  in  this  case.  .  .  . 

MARINEDXA 

[Approaching  her.~\ 
Don't,  don't !     I  beseech  you !     Have  I  not  done 
my  best? 

DUCHESS 

You  have  not  told  him  the  truth. 

MARINELLA 

You  are  merciless !  Listen  to  me,  Marco.  I 
meant  never  to  see  you  again  after  I  left  Gaeta. 
Fate  brought  us  together  there,  a  kind  fate  that  gave 
us  one  week  of  simple,  innocent  happiness  such  as  I 
had  never  before  known.  I  bless  every  one  of  those 
hours  we  spent  together  —  they  are  the  golden  hours 
of  my  life.  But  now  that  my  father  is  restored  to 
me,  broken  and  helpless,  nothing  else  in  the  world 
matters  to  me.  Never  again  will  I  quit  his  side,  and 
I  shall  remain,  when  he  leaves  me,  with  the  nuns  of 
Santa  Monica's  until  my  turn  comes  to  follow  him. 
I  have  renounced  the  world.  He  is  the  only  reality 
in  my  life  —  you  are  the  dream. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  421 

MARCO 

You  in  a  cloister !  God  does  not  call  you  to  a  re- 
ligious life. 

MARINELLA 

Though  He  has  not  called  me,  God  will  welcome 
me.  I  am  to-day  giving  all  my  fortune  to  that  hos- 
pital.    I  have  made  my  vow. 

MARCO  • 

This  is  a  pretext.  There  is  something  more  .  .  . 
something  behind,  which  you  do  not  tell  me. 

MARINELLA 

Why  can  you  not  believe  me  when  I  tell  you  that 
we  are  separated  by  a  gulf  that  nothing  can  span? 

MARCO 

My  love  can  bridge  any  gulf. 

MARINELLA 

[  Weeping.  ] 
Let  me  go,  and  forget  me  —  be  merciful  to  us  both, 
to  yourself  as  well  as  to  me.  (To  the  Duchess.) 
I  cannot  tell  him, —  you  have  set  me  a  task  beyond 
my  strength  and  he  is  cruel  with  the  pitiless  cruelty 
of  youth. 

DUCHESS 

Only  the  truth  will  set  him  free.  Remember,  I 
hold  your  father's  liberty,  his  life,  as  my  hostage. 


422  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

MARINELLA 

[Terrified.] 
You  threaten  me?     You  would  undo  .   .  .    ? 

DUCHESS 

I  defend  my  son. 

MARCO 

You  both  talk  in  riddles.  Elena,  my  mother  is 
right.  You.  owe  me  the  truth.  I  must  know.  I  will 
know. 

MARINELLA 

[With  forced  calm.] 
So  be  it ;  you  shall  have  the  truth.  Your  brother, 
Guido,  is  dead  —  killed  in  a  duel,  purposely  provoked 
over  a  gaming-table.  You  know  he  was  a  gambler,  I 
suppose?  He  died  a  ruined  man.  Did  you  ever 
hear  who  ruined  him?  .  .  .  the  woman's  name?  .  .  . 
for  of  course  it  was  a  woman  —  only  women  do  such 
things. 

MARCO 

Yes ;  the  ballet-dancer  .  .  .  La  Marinella :  every- 
body knows  that. 

MARINELLA 

[Half -bitterly,  half -proudly.] 
Of  course  they  do.     Everybody  knows  La  Mari- 
nella.    She  is  famous.   .   .   . 

MARCO 

She  is  infamous. 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  423 

MARINELLA 

[Shrinking.  ] 
Ah! 

_  DUCHESS 

Hush,  Marco !  You  don't  know  what  you  are  say- 
ing. 

MARCO 

I  do  know.  Do  you  defend  this  creature  who  has 
murdered  Guido  and  well-nigh  ruined  the  house  of 
Teramo  ? 

MARINELLA 

Perhaps,  if  you  knew,  Marco  .  .  .  perhaps  there 
may  be  something  to  be  said  even  for  La  Marinella. 

MARCO 

There  is  nothing. 

MARINELLA 

Nothing?     She  is  a  woman.  .  .  . 

MARCO 

We  need  not  remember  what  she  has  forgotten. 
But  why  are  we  talking  about  this  person  whom  we 
none  of  us  know,  and  all  despise? 

DUCHESS 

You  are  very  hard.  .  .  . 

MARINELLA 

But  he  is  making  it  easier  for  me.     Listen,  Marco. 


424  THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS 

La  Marinella  is  famous  for  her  dancing,  for  her 
beauty,  for  the  hearts  she  has  broken  and  the  men 
she  has  driven  to  poverty,  to  dishonour  and  to  sui- 
cide. She  glories  in  the  blight  she  brings  upon  all 
who  fall  under  her  evil  influence,  for  she  is  a  woman 
at  enmity  with  the  world,  a  creature  without  a  heart, 
without  passions  even,  for  she  takes  all  —  love,  for- 
tune, honour,  life,  and  she  gives  nothing  in  return ; 
and  in  the  end  she  laughs  at  her  victims.  Amidst  the 
insolent  pageant  of  luxury  in  which  she  moves,  La 
Marinella  lives  alone  —  always  alone ;  everywhere 
she  is  a  stranger,  a  nameless  waif,  without  home, 
without  friends,  without  love  —  bereft  of  everything, 
living  only  with  memories  that  torture  her.  She  is 
haunted  —  haunted  always  by  a  face,  by  a  voice  — 
her  mother's ;  and  they  leave  her  no  respite.  The 
law  of  her  life  is  hate  —  hatred  for  the  creature 
called  man,  to  whom  her  virgin  honour  was  sacrificed 
for  the  right  to  live. 

MARCO 

[Beginning  to  comprehend.'] 
What  do  you  mean?     Mother,  who  is  she? 

MARINELLA 

[Approaching  and  looking  fixedly  at  him.] 
Your  life  has  dawned  like  a  summer's  day  in  beauty 
—  will  you  blast  its  promise  and  have  it  to  set  in 
storm?     Is   there   then   some   maleficent   star,   some 


THE  VICTORIOUS  DUCHESS  425 

fateful  planet  that  drives  the  destinies  of  Casa  Te- 
ramo  into  the  sinister  orbit  of  La  Marinella,  that  you 
should  follow  in  your  dead  brother's  footsteps?  For 
I  am  La  Marinella.  Now  you  know.  You  would 
have  the  truth  —  now  you  know.  Duchess,  I  give 
you  back  your  son.  My  debt  is  paid.  La  Mari- 
nella is  quits  with  Casa  Teramo. 
[Exit  Marinella.] 

[Marco,  dazed  and  grief-stricken,  sinks  upon  a 
chair  omd  covers  his  face.  The  Duchess  re- 
sists her  impulse  to  comfort  him,  takes  the 
packet  of  letters  from  the  table,  and  drops 
them  one  by  one  on  the  charcoals  in  the  bra- 
zier. Her  face  wears  a  smile  of  quiet  satis- 
faction.] 


CURTAIN 


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